01The verdict: is Black River water safe?
Black River's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (86.8/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,500 residents using groundwater (wells).
1 unresolved violation on record
EPA records show an open compliance item for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 4.2 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓A flood-prone service area
5 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Black River's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,500 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 4.2 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 2 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.
Black River ranks #383 out of 810 cities in New York for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Black River purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition. As a small community water system, Black River may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Black River's water
Every contaminant flagged in Black River, 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. | 4.2 | 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
03Black River'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 2 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Black River.
▲ Up 0.20 ppb since 2004. Latest reading: 4.2 ppb (2005) — 28% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Black River's water comes from
Black River purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
1,500 people
Residents served across Black River's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Black River's local distribution pipes and storage facilities. Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,500 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| RUTLAND TOWN WD 1 | NY2230102 | 1,500 | Purchased Groundwater |
Water bodies near Black River
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Black River'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.
Industrial discharge
5 facilities within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
5 federal disaster declarations on record for Jefferson County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Superfund proximity
2 National Priorities List sites within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
06How Black River compares
Scores for nearby New York cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = New York average (78/100)
Black River scores 86.8/100 — above the New York average of 78/100. It outscores 8 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 Black River's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Black River's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
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 Black River 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 Black River, NY tap water safe to drink?
Black River's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #383 out of 810 cities tested in New York.
What contaminants are in Black River's water?
Lead was measured at 4.2 ppb (90th percentile). 2 violations are on record.
How is Black River'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 Black River?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Black River's water come from?
Black River's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,500 residents.
What health violations has Black River's water system had?
Black River has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in March 2012. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
Is Black River's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Black River uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 2 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Black River's water compare to other cities?
Black River ranks #383 out of 810 cities in New York (better than 53% of state cities) and #4428 out of 15382 cities nationally (71th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Black River's small water system affect quality?
Black River's system serves approximately 1,500 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 2 violations on record.