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WaterVerge

Water quality report · updated Jul 2026

Is Fonda (V), NY Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B-, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do ↓

0 contaminants over a legal limit
7.6 ppb lead, 90th percentile
3 unresolved violations
1K people served by 1 water system

PWSID NY2800138 · high data confidence · local government utility

Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated July 2026
B 74.8 / 100

#642 of 810New York cities
How we grade →

01The verdict: is Fonda (V) water safe?

Fonda (V)'s drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (74.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,080 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

The concern

3 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 ↓
Context

1K people, 1 system

All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.

See the systems ↓
Keep watching

7 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 ↓

Fonda (V)'s drinking water received a grade of B- (74.8 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,080 residents using surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 7.6 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 34 violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.

Fonda (V) ranks #642 out of 810 cities in New York for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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, Fonda (V) may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 7 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

How the 74.8/100 breaks down Methodology →
ViolationsHistorical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
29.8 / 45C
Lead & CopperLead at 7.6 ppb (90th percentile).
16 / 20B
ContaminantsPFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
17 / 20B
ComplianceMonitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
8 / 10B
Source RiskWater source: Surface water.
4 / 5B

02What's in Fonda (V)'s water

Every contaminant flagged in Fonda (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.

1 detection · sorted by % of legal limit
Over the limit Elevated — watch Within limits
0 50% LEGAL LIMIT 150%
1 contaminant tested under EPA SDWIS, LCR and UCMR programs · 1 detected · not yet tested for PFAS under UCMR 5

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 7.6 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

03Fonda (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 34 violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.

5 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.

7 health-based in 10 yrs 1 monitoring & paperwork 1 still unresolved
UpdateWater quality data updatedLatest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Fonda (V)'s water quality assessment. Grade: B- (74.8/100).
Violation1 drinking water violation recorded1 health-based. Contaminants: Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.Resolved
Violation1 drinking water violation recorded1 health-based. Contaminants: Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.Resolved
Violation1 drinking water violation recorded1 health-based. Contaminants: Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.Resolved
DisasterHURRICANE HENRIFederal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3565). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
DisasterSEVERE STORMS AND FLOODINGFederal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4129). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Lead, 90th percentileppb · lower is better
0510152025EPA action level · 15 ppb1993 — 20 ppb2003 — 1 ppb2006 — 0 ppb2009 — 1 ppb2012 — 2 ppb2016 — 2 ppb2019 — 6 ppb2022 — 17 ppb2023 — 12 ppb2024 — 5.2 ppb2025 — 7.6 ppb207.619932009201920242025

Down 12 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 7.6 ppb (2025) — 51% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).

04Where Fonda (V)'s water comes from

Fonda (V)'s drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Source

Surface Water

Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.

Treatment

Local treatment

Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.

Distribution

1 system

1 water system, operated under local government ownership.

Delivery

1,080 people

Residents served across Fonda (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 1,080 people through 1 water system.

System namePWSIDPopulationSource
FONDA (V) WATER WORKS NY2800138 1,080 Surface Water

Water bodies near Fonda (V)

Mohawk R Above State Highway 30A · river Schoharie Creek · river Mohawk R · river

As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Fonda (V)'s drinking water supply.

05Pressure on Fonda (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

Recurring — declared disasters

7 federal disaster declarations on record for Montgomery County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.

HURRICANE HENRI Aug 2021 · DR-3565
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING Jul 2013 · DR-4129
HURRICANE SANDY Oct 2012 · DR-3351

06How Fonda (V) compares

Scores for nearby New York cities on one line, with the average marked.

New York (C)
89 · A-
Smithtown (T)
84.8 · B+
Fonda (V) (this city)
74.8 · B-
Islip (T)
71.8 · B-

dashed line = New York average (78/100)

Fonda (V) scores 74.8/100on par with the New York average of 78/100. It outscores 3 of 10 nearby cities. Full New York rankings →

Montgomery water quality rankings
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 Fonda (V)'s water — not generic advice.

Because of lead

Filter drinking & cooking water

NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 7.6 ppb

Compare tested filters →
Because lead was detected

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 →
Stay informed

Watch for Fonda (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 Fonda (V), NY tap water safe to drink?

Fonda (V)'s water quality earned a grade of B- (74.8/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #642 out of 810 cities tested in New York.

What contaminants are in Fonda (V)'s water?

Lead was measured at 7.6 ppb (90th percentile). 34 violations are on record.

How is Fonda (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 Fonda (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 Fonda (V)'s water come from?

Fonda (V)'s water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,080 residents.

What health violations has Fonda (V)'s water system had?

Fonda (V) has 8 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.

How does Fonda (V)'s water compare to other cities?

Fonda (V) ranks #642 out of 810 cities in New York (better than 21% of state cities) and #9636 out of 15382 cities nationally (37th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Fonda (V)'s small water system affect quality?

Fonda (V)'s system serves approximately 1,080 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 34 violations on record.

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About Fonda (V), NY: Median household income $45,208 · median home value $80,778 · median age 41.4 · 61.5% homeowners · 9.7% college educated. Sources: EPA SDWIS & ECHO · UCMR 3–5 · Lead & Copper Rule samples · EPA TRI · U.S. Drought Monitor · FEMA declarations. Data last updated Jul 2026. Analysis by the WaterVerge Editorial Team · methodology.