01The verdict: is Bergen (V) water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, Bergen (V)'s tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A (95/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 15,577 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Chlorate is over its legal limit
Measured at 270.0 µg/L against the EPA Lifetime HA of 210 µg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Monitoring is on schedule
The system is meeting its EPA monitoring and reporting requirements — testing is happening when it should.
See the score ↓A flood-prone service area
6 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Bergen (V)'s drinking water received a grade of A (95 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 15,577 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 5.4 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 1 violation on record, including 1 health-based violation. All violations have been resolved.
Bergen (V) ranks #48 out of 810 cities in New York for water quality, placing it one of the best 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 0.10 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.
02What's in Bergen (V)'s water
Every contaminant flagged in Bergen (V), 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.
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. | 5.4 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
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
03Bergen (V)'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 1 violation on record, including 1 health-based violation. All violations have been resolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Bergen (V).
▼ Down 2.7 ppb since 2003. Latest reading: 5.4 ppb (2024) — 36% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Bergen (V)'s water comes from
Bergen (V)'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.
1 system
1 water system, operated under public/private ownership.
15,577 people
Residents served across Bergen (V)'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 public/private ownership and serves approximately 15,577 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCWA GENESEE | NY1800547 | 15,577 | Purchased Surface Water |
Water bodies near Bergen (V)
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Bergen (V)'s drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Bergen (V)'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
6 federal disaster declarations on record for Monroe County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Bergen (V) compares
Scores for nearby New York cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = New York average (78/100)
Bergen (V) scores 95/100 — above the New York average of 78/100. It outscores 10 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 Bergen (V)'s water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Basic carbon filter for extra protection. Lead detected at 5.4 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 Bergen (V) 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 Bergen (V), NY tap water safe to drink?
Bergen (V)'s water quality earned a grade of A (95/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #48 out of 810 cities tested in New York.
What contaminants are in Bergen (V)'s water?
Lead was measured at 5.4 ppb (90th percentile). 1 violation is on record.
How is Bergen (V)'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 Bergen (V)?
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 Bergen (V)'s water come from?
Bergen (V)'s water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 15,577 residents.
What health violations has Bergen (V)'s water system had?
Bergen (V) has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in September 2004. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
How does Bergen (V)'s water compare to other cities?
Bergen (V) ranks #48 out of 810 cities in New York (better than 94% of state cities) and #363 out of 15382 cities nationally (98th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.