01The verdict: is Attica (T) water safe?
Attica (T)'s drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C+ (68.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 3,600 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
5 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓4K people, 2 systems
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓Lead is approaching its limit
Measured at 11.0 ppb — 73% of the 15 ppb limit. Within the rules, but with less headroom than you'd want.
See the ledger ↓Attica (T)'s drinking water received a grade of C+ (68.5 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 3,600 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 11.0 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 42 violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
Attica (T) ranks #701 out of 810 cities in New York for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.05 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. The system has seen 9 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Attica (T)'s water
Every contaminant flagged in Attica (T), on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Near Limit — EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
Within EPA limits but above the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended level of 1 ppb — no lead level is considered safe for children. An NSF 53-certified filter provides additional protection, and running the cold tap 30 seconds after stagnation reduces exposure.Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 11.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Near Limit |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in New York
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in New York
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Attica (T)'s ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 42 violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
2 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 11 ppb since 2002. Latest reading: 11 ppb (2006) — 73% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Attica (T)'s water comes from
Attica (T)'s drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under state ownership.
3,600 people
Residents served across Attica (T)'s service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by state ownership and serves approximately 3,600 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATTICA CORRECTIONAL | NY6030008 | 2,000 | Purchased Surface Water |
| WYOMING CORRECTIONAL | NY6030009 | 1,600 | Purchased Surface Water |
Water bodies near Attica (T)
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Attica (T)'s drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Attica (T)'s watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
5 federal disaster declarations on record for Wyoming County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Attica (T) compares
Scores for nearby New York cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = New York average (78/100)
Attica (T) scores 68.5/100 — below the New York average of 78/100. It outscores 1 of 10 nearby cities. Full New York rankings →
89 / 100CBrookhaven (T), NY
60.9 / 100AEast Hampton (T), NY
85.1 / 100BIslip (T), NY
71.8 / 100BSmithtown (T), NY
84.8 / 100BSouthampton (T), NY
78.8 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Attica (T)'s water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 11.0 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Attica (T) alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Attica (T), NY tap water safe to drink?
Attica (T)'s water quality earned a grade of C+ (68.5/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #701 out of 810 cities tested in New York.
What contaminants are in Attica (T)'s water?
Lead was measured at 11.0 ppb (90th percentile). 42 violations are on record.
How is Attica (T)'s water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Attica (T)?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Attica (T)'s water come from?
Attica (T)'s water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 3,600 residents.
What health violations has Attica (T)'s water system had?
Attica (T) has 8 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in February 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.
How does Attica (T)'s water compare to other cities?
Attica (T) ranks #701 out of 810 cities in New York (better than 13% of state cities) and #10901 out of 15382 cities nationally (29th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.