Drinking water quality · 2023
What's in Buffalo, NY tap water
16 contaminants were measured in the Buffalo, NY water system's 2023 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 1 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2023
- Contaminants measured
- 16
- Over federal limit
- 1
- Approaching the limit
- 1
- Worst contaminant
- Turbidity
- Service area
- NY
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.04–1.97 NTUReported levelSystem-wide | None set | At or above the limit |
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 1.64–2.22 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 15.2–70.2 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Approaching the limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 2.9–35.1 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. | 0–1.88 ng/LReported levelSystem-wide | 4 ng/LMCL | Within the limit |
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine Total | 0.92–1.75 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| Chlorine Free | 0.82–1.4 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMRDLG | Within the limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antimony | 0.8 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | 0.3 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 18.4–22.4 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| Chromium, TotalTotal chromium — the sum of all chromium forms, from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.4 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | 0.51–2.13 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| NickelA metal from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.8 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 9.8–10.6 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.12 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 72–160 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
People also ask about Buffalo, NY's water
+Is Buffalo, NY tap water safe to drink in 2023?
The 2023 Consumer Confidence Report for the Buffalo, NY water utility lists 1 contaminant at or above the federal limit: Turbidity. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.
+What contaminants are in Buffalo, NY tap water?
16 contaminants were measured in Buffalo, NY's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, disinfection byproducts, and inorganic chemicals. 3 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in Buffalo, NY tap water?
One contaminant in Buffalo, NY's 2023 report sits at or above the federal limit: Turbidity (2.0× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.
+What is the worst contaminant in Buffalo, NY tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2023 report is Turbidity, at 2.0× the federal threshold. It belongs to the physical & aggregate family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in Buffalo, NY tap water approaching the federal limit?
One contaminant is between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: TTHM. Approaching means measured but not in violation — a margin that can close quickly if conditions change.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Buffalo, NY's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is Buffalo, NY's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2023 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.