Drinking water quality · 2023
· Verified
What's in Nyc, NY tap water
25 contaminants were measured in the Nyc, 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
- 25
- Over federal limit
- 1
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Worst contaminant
- Turbidity
- Service area
- NY
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 2.1 NTUAverageSystem-wide | 1 NTUMCL | At or above the limit |
| pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is. | 7.3AverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 112AverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| TemperatureThe measured temperature of the water sample. | 57AverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 1.6 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 66 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 10 ug/L90th percentileAt the tap | None set | Within the limit |
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.195 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 1.3 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | 19AverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 0.7 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 13 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Strontium | 23AverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| ZincA naturally occurring metal that can also enter water from corroding pipes. | Not detected mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0.1 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 10 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| NitriteA compound from fertilizer runoff, sewage, and erosion of natural deposits. | Not detected mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 1 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Bromochloroacetic acidA mixed-halogen haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 1.4AverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 6 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. | Not detected ng/LAverageSystem-wide | 4 ng/LMCL | Within the limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 48AverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 48AverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptosporidium | 0–4RangeSource water | 0MCLG | Detected — no federal limit |
| Giardia lamblia | 0–14RangeSource water | 0MCLG | Detected — no federal limit |
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 1.9 %MaximumSystem-wide | 5 %Treatment technique | Detected — no federal limit |
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dehp | Not detectedAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Hexachlorocyclopentadiene | Not detectedAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
People also ask about Nyc, NY's water
+Is Nyc, NY tap water safe to drink in 2023?
The 2023 Consumer Confidence Report for the Nyc, 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 Nyc, NY tap water?
25 contaminants were measured in Nyc, NY's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, physical & aggregate, and inorganic chemicals. 8 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 Nyc, NY tap water?
One contaminant in Nyc, NY's 2023 report sits at or above the federal limit: Turbidity (2.1× 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 Nyc, NY tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2023 report is Turbidity, at 2.1× the federal threshold. It belongs to the physical & aggregate family of contaminants.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Nyc, 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 Nyc, 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.