01The verdict: is Cape Vincent (V) water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, Cape Vincent (V)'s tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A- (85.1/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,500 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Nothing over a legal limit
Every contaminant measured in Cape Vincent (V)'s water is within its EPA limit, and no violations are unresolved.
See the testing ↓Monitoring is on schedule
The system is meeting its EPA monitoring and reporting requirements — testing is happening when it should.
See the score ↓Lead is approaching its limit
Measured at 12.7 ppb — 85% of the 15 ppb limit. Within the rules, but with less headroom than you'd want.
See the ledger ↓Cape Vincent (V)'s drinking water received a grade of A- (85.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,500 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 12.7 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 5 violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
Cape Vincent (V) ranks #444 out of 810 cities in New York for water quality, placing it below 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. 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. As a small community water system, Cape Vincent (V) may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Cape Vincent (V)'s water
Every contaminant flagged in Cape Vincent (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.
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. | 12.7 | 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
03Cape Vincent (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 5 violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Cape Vincent (V).
▲ Up 5.7 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 13 ppb (2023) — 85% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Cape Vincent (V)'s water comes from
Cape Vincent (V)'s drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
2 systems
2 water systems (1 wholesaler), operated under local government ownership.
1,500 people
Residents served across Cape Vincent (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 local government ownership and serves approximately 1,500 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAPE VINCENT VILLAGE | NY2202333 | 1,500 | Surface Water |
| DANC WESTERN REGIONAL | NY2230023 | — | Purchased Surface Water |
05Pressure on Cape Vincent (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
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 (V) compares
Scores for nearby New York cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = New York average (78/100)
Cape Vincent (V) scores 85.1/100 — above the New York average of 78/100. It outscores 7 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 (V)'s water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Basic carbon filter for extra protection. Lead detected at 12.7 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 Cape Vincent (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 Cape Vincent (V), NY tap water safe to drink?
Cape Vincent (V)'s water quality earned a grade of A- (85.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #444 out of 810 cities tested in New York.
What contaminants are in Cape Vincent (V)'s water?
Lead was measured at 12.7 ppb (90th percentile). 5 violations are on record.
How is Cape Vincent (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 Cape Vincent (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 Cape Vincent (V)'s water come from?
Cape Vincent (V)'s water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,500 residents.
What health violations has Cape Vincent (V)'s water system had?
Cape Vincent (V) has 4 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2016. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
How does Cape Vincent (V)'s water compare to other cities?
Cape Vincent (V) ranks #444 out of 810 cities in New York (better than 45% of state cities) and #5478 out of 15382 cities nationally (64th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.