01The verdict: is Elba (V) water safe?
Elba (V)'s tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (89.6/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 706 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
2 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 ↓Top half in New York
Elba (V) ranks #257 of 810 graded New York cities.
See the comparison ↓2 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Elba (V)'s drinking water received a grade of A- (89.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 706 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 12 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 2 remain unresolved.
Elba (V) ranks #257 out of 810 cities in New York for water quality, placing it mid-range 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, Elba (V) may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Elba (V)'s water
Every contaminant flagged in Elba (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
03Elba (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 12 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 2 remain unresolved.
9 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.
▲ Up 2.5 ppb since 2003. Latest reading: 5.4 ppb (2023) — 36% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Elba (V)'s water comes from
Elba (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 local government ownership.
706 people
Residents served across Elba (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 706 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELBA VILLAGE | NY1800548 | 706 | Purchased Surface Water |
Water bodies near Elba (V)
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Elba (V)'s drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Elba (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
3 federal disaster declarations on record for Genesee County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Elba (V) compares
Scores for nearby New York cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = New York average (78/100)
Elba (V) scores 89.6/100 — 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 Elba (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 Elba (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 Elba (V), NY tap water safe to drink?
Elba (V)'s water quality earned a grade of A- (89.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #257 out of 810 cities tested in New York.
What contaminants are in Elba (V)'s water?
Lead was measured at 5.4 ppb (90th percentile). 12 violations are on record.
How is Elba (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 Elba (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 Elba (V)'s water come from?
Elba (V)'s water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 706 residents.
What health violations has Elba (V)'s water system had?
Elba (V) has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
How does Elba (V)'s water compare to other cities?
Elba (V) ranks #257 out of 810 cities in New York (better than 68% of state cities) and #2728 out of 15382 cities nationally (82th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Elba (V)'s small water system affect quality?
Elba (V)'s system serves approximately 706 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 12 violations on record.