01The verdict: is Cape Vincent (T) water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, Cape Vincent (T)'s tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A (93/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,600 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Nothing over a legal limit
Every contaminant measured in Cape Vincent (T)'s water is within its EPA limit, and no violations are unresolved.
See the testing ↓A clean compliance record
Cape Vincent (T) has no EPA violations on file — a stronger record than most systems its size.
See the record ↓A flood-prone service area
5 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Cape Vincent (T)'s drinking water received a grade of A (93 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,600 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 3.7 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. No violations are on record for this water system.
Cape Vincent (T) ranks #109 out of 810 cities in New York for water quality, placing it above average 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. As a small community water system, Cape Vincent (T) may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. Cape Vincent (T) has a clean compliance record with no violations on file, reflecting strong operational practices.
02What's in Cape Vincent (T)'s water
Every contaminant flagged in Cape Vincent (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.
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. | 3.7 | 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
03Cape Vincent (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. No violations are on record for this water system.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Cape Vincent (T).
▲ Up 1.7 ppb since 2004. Latest reading: 3.7 ppb (2005) — 25% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Cape Vincent (T)'s water comes from
Cape Vincent (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.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
2,600 people
Residents served across Cape Vincent (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 local government ownership and serves approximately 2,600 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAPE VINCENT TOWN WD 1 & 5 | NY2230018 | 2,600 | Purchased Surface Water |
05Pressure on Cape Vincent (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 Jefferson County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Cape Vincent (T) compares
Scores for nearby New York cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = New York average (78/100)
Cape Vincent (T) scores 93/100 — 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 Cape Vincent (T)'s water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Cape Vincent (T)'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 Cape Vincent (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 Cape Vincent (T), NY tap water safe to drink?
Cape Vincent (T)'s water quality earned a grade of A (93/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #109 out of 810 cities tested in New York.
What contaminants are in Cape Vincent (T)'s water?
Lead was measured at 3.7 ppb (90th percentile). No violations on record.
How is Cape Vincent (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 Cape Vincent (T)?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Cape Vincent (T)'s water come from?
Cape Vincent (T)'s water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,600 residents.
How does Cape Vincent (T)'s water compare to other cities?
Cape Vincent (T) ranks #109 out of 810 cities in New York (better than 87% of state cities) and #1001 out of 15382 cities nationally (94th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Cape Vincent (T)'s small water system affect quality?
Cape Vincent (T)'s system serves approximately 2,600 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 maintained a clean compliance record.