Is Fort Covington (T), NY Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A+, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
95.7/100
waterverge.com Fort Covington (T), NY — Water Quality Report
Fort Covington (T)'s drinking water received a grade of A+ (95.7 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 900 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 2.1 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 22 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Fort Covington (T)'s water
Fort Covington (T) ranks #38 out of 855 cities in New York for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
Fort Covington (T) relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Fort Covington (T) may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Fort Covington (T), NY water safe to drink?
Fort Covington (T)'s tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A+ (95.7/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 900 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Fort Covington (T)
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Fort Covington (T)'s water quality assessment. Grade: A+ (95.7/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4129). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3351). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Nitrate.
Contaminants: Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB), ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE, Endrin.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Fort Covington (T)'s water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Fort Covington (T)'s water system has 22 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Franklin County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1996. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Little Salmon River.
Where does Fort Covington (T)'s water come from?
Fort Covington (T)'s drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 900 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Little Salmon River (river).
What Fort Covington (T) residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Fort Covington (T)'s area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Flood & disaster history
Franklin County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1996. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
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. | 2.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Fort Covington (T) compares by contaminant
Explore where Fort Covington (T) ranks among all New York cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Fort Covington (T)'s water comes from
Fort Covington (T)'s drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 900 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Fort Covington (T)
Fort Covington (T) is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Fort Covington (T)
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FORT COVINGTON WD | NY1600007 | 900 | GW |
How Fort Covington (T) compares
Full New York rankings →Fort Covington (T)'s score of 95.7/100 is above the average of 74/100 among major New York cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View New York rankings →About Fort Covington (T), NY
Wikipedia →Fort Covington is a town in Franklin County, New York, United States. The population was 1,531 at the 2020 census. The name is derived from a War of 1812 fortification. The original name of the town was French Mills.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Fort Covington (T)'s water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Franklin
Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Covington (T), NY tap water safe to drink?
Fort Covington (T)'s water quality earned a grade of A+ (95.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #38 out of 855 cities tested in New York.
What contaminants are in Fort Covington (T)'s water?
Lead was measured at 2.1 ppb (90th percentile). 22 violations are on record.
How is Fort Covington (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 Fort Covington (T)?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Fort Covington (T)'s water come from?
Fort Covington (T)'s water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 900 residents.
Is Fort Covington (T)'s groundwater at risk of contamination?
Fort Covington (T) 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 22 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 Fort Covington (T)'s water compare to other cities?
Fort Covington (T) ranks #38 out of 855 cities in New York (better than 96% of state cities) and #288 out of 15744 cities nationally (98th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Fort Covington (T)'s small water system affect quality?
Fort Covington (T)'s system serves approximately 900 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 22 violations on record.