Is Rochester tap water safe to drink?

Yes with good quality

Rochester's tap water meets all EPA standards and scores well on our analysis. It is generally safe to drink though filtration can improve taste and provide extra precaution.

82/100
Purity Score
2
Issues Found
5.7 GPG
Hardness
Not detected
PFAS

2 Issues Detected in Rochester

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Rochester

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.2 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Rochester
New York

146,011,460,214,603 · Lake Ontario

Rochester, NY Water Quality Report

Low Risk Updated March 2026 750,000 residents
See Best Filters for Rochester
82
Purity Score

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
ND
Lead
6.2 ppb
Nitrate
0.5 mg/L
Arsenic
0.2 mg/L
Hardness
5.7 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Rochester's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

82 /100
Good
"Good" threshold (70)

Rochester tap water is sourced from Lake Ontario and treated by Monroe County Water Authority. Overall purity score: 82/100 (Good). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Rochester's 2 issues.

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Rochester Water FAQ

Is Rochester NY tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Rochester tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 82/100 (Good) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Rochester NY use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Rochester uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.3 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.
How hard is Rochester NY water and what is the TDS level?
Rochester water hardness is 5.7 grains per gallon (moderate) with a TDS of 160 ppm (good). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Rochester NY drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Rochester drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Rochester?
Based on Rochester's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Rochester has elevated chlorine residuals. An under-sink carbon filter removes chlorine and disinfection byproducts at the tap.

Nearby Reports

BuffaloNew York — 77/100TroyNew York — 82/100SchenectadyNew York — 82/100YonkersNew York — 82/100AlbanyNew York — 82/100UticaNew York — 85/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • Monroe County Water Authority CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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