Question 1

Which county in New York has the best water quality?

Accepted Answer

Broome County has the highest water quality score in New York at 100.0/100 (Grade: C), based on EPA SDWIS data.

Question 2

Which county in New York has the most water violations?

Accepted Answer

Putnam County has among the lowest water quality scores in New York at 95.7/100. See the individual county page for detailed violation history.

Question 3

Is the tap water safe to drink in New York?

Accepted Answer

New York has an average water quality score of 99.6/100 based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance data. Individual county scores vary — check your specific county's page for detailed information.

Question 4

What contaminants are found in New York water supplies?

Accepted Answer

Drinking water quality varies by county and water system. The EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) tracks violations for contaminants like lead, nitrates, bacteria, and disinfection byproducts. See individual county pages for specific contaminant and violation history.

County	Water Score	Grade	Violations	Violation Rate
Broome County	100.0	C	14	8.5%
Chautauqua County	100.0	C	10	9.2%
Chemung County	100.0	B	1	1.2%
Chenango County	100.0	B	1	4.7%
Erie County	100.0	B	42	4.4%
Monroe County	100.0	B	4	1.6%
Nassau County	100.0	B	20	1.5%
Niagara County	100.0	A	1	0.4%
Orleans County	100.0	A	0	0.0%
St. Lawrence County	100.0	B	1	1.6%
Suffolk County	100.0	A	5	0.4%
Tompkins County	100.0	C	8	8.2%
Allegany County	99.9	D	8	26.7%
Clinton County	99.9	D	11	19.0%
Cortland County	99.9	C	5	14.3%
Dutchess County	99.9	F	65	32.5%
Genesee County	99.9	F	14	31.5%
Oneida County	99.9	C	29	14.8%
Onondaga County	99.9	C	68	11.2%
Oswego County	99.9	D	18	23.5%
Otsego County	99.9	F	9	30.3%
Rensselaer County	99.9	D	30	26.3%
Rockland County	99.9	D	53	17.7%
Schenectady County	99.9	D	29	20.2%
Tioga County	99.9	D	4	16.2%
Ulster County	99.9	D	20	20.7%
Warren County	99.9	C	7	13.9%
Wayne County	99.9	F	27	31.6%
Albany County	99.8	F	117	38.9%
Cattaraugus County	99.8	F	18	39.4%
Essex County	99.8	F	16	46.9%
Fulton County	99.8	F	11	33.6%
Livingston County	99.8	F	19	36.0%
Madison County	99.8	F	10	36.4%
Saratoga County	99.8	F	92	53.1%
Wyoming County	99.8	F	9	41.0%
Yates County	99.8	F	7	49.6%
Delaware County	99.7	F	13	62.2%
Ontario County	99.7	F	64	71.4%
Seneca County	99.7	F	18	72.5%
Steuben County	99.7	F	39	75.8%
Westchester County	99.7	F	533	55.7%
Cayuga County	99.6	F	46	88.0%
Columbia County	99.6	F	24	95.2%
Schuyler County	99.6	F	6	92.8%
Sullivan County	99.6	F	45	92.9%
Herkimer County	99.5	F	45	119.9%
Greene County	99.4	F	40	140.7%
Orange County	99.4	F	444	134.2%
Jefferson County	99.3	F	182	160.1%
Washington County	99.3	F	50	160.6%
Montgomery County	99.2	F	62	179.6%
Franklin County	99.0	F	62	210.7%
Lewis County	99.0	F	24	208.8%
Schoharie County	98.2	F	46	389.4%
Hamilton County	97.5	F	26	549.9%
Putnam County	95.7	F	352	934.3%
Bronx County	—	—	—	—
Kings County	—	—	—	—
New York County	—	—	—	—
Queens County	—	—	—	—
Richmond County	—	—	—	—

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