New York City, New York
| Contaminant | Detected | EPA limit | EWG guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloramine | 2.5 mg/L | 4 mg/L | — | — |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 36.8 ppb | 80 ppb | 0.8 ppb | 46× EWG |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 22.1 ppb | 60 ppb | 0.1 ppb | 221× EWG |
| Lead | 2.5 ppb | 15 ppb | 0.5 ppb | 5× EWG |
| PFAS (PFOA + PFOS) | 2.1 ppt | 4 ppt | 0.004 ppt | 525× EWG |
| Fluoride | 0.72 mg/L | 4 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L | 1× EWG |
| Barium | 0.018 mg/L | 2 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L | Within guideline |
Context
NYC tap water is among the highest quality in the US — its Catskill/Delaware supply is one of only a handful of large surface water systems that meets EPA filtration avoidance criteria, meaning the source is clean enough to not require conventional filtration.
The primary concerns are lead exposure in older buildings (pre-1986 plumbing and lead service lines) and disinfection byproducts (THMs and HAAs) that form when chloramine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter from the watershed.
PFAS has been detected at levels below the new EPA MCL of 4 ppt, but well above the EWG health guideline of 0.004 ppt. The city has been monitoring and treating for PFAS since the 2024 federal rule.
NYC switched from chlorine to chloramine as its primary disinfectant in 2012. While this reduces THM formation, chloramine is harder to remove with basic carbon filters and is toxic to fish, dialysis patients, and some people with skin sensitivities.
Common questions
Is NYC tap water safe to drink?
Yes — NYC tap water meets all EPA standards and is among the best municipal water in the US. Its Catskill/Delaware watershed source is so clean it's one of only a few large US systems exempt from mandatory filtration. However, 5 of 7 detected contaminants exceed stricter EWG health guidelines, and lead can be a concern in buildings with pre-1986 plumbing. A carbon block or RO filter is a smart precaution.
Does NYC water have lead?
NYC's water leaves the treatment system lead-free, but lead can enter at the building level through old pipes, solder, and fixtures. The city's 90th percentile lead level is 2.5 ppb — below the EPA action level of 15 ppb but above the EWG guideline of 0.5 ppb. If you live in a pre-1986 building, run your tap for 30 seconds before drinking and consider a certified lead-removal filter.
Why does NYC water taste different in other cities?
NYC's water is famously soft (low mineral content) with a distinctive clean taste attributed to the protected Catskill/Delaware watershed. The low mineral content is why NYC is known for great pizza dough and bagels — the soft water affects gluten development differently than hard water. Other cities with harder, more mineral-rich water taste noticeably different.
Does NYC tap water have PFAS?
PFAS has been detected at approximately 2.1 ppt (parts per trillion), which is below the new EPA maximum contaminant level of 4 ppt but significantly above the EWG health guideline of 0.004 ppt. Reverse osmosis and high-quality activated carbon filters are effective at removing PFAS from drinking water.
New York City's water quality is genuinely excellent by US standards — the protected Catskill/Delaware watershed delivers some of the cleanest source water of any major city. The main risks are building-specific (lead from old plumbing) and system-wide (disinfection byproducts from chloramine treatment).
the Catskill/Delaware and Croton watershed systems — one of the largest unfiltered surface water supplies in the world, fed by reservoirs up to 125 miles north of the city
This data reflects system-wide testing. Your home's plumbing may add or reduce contaminants.
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