WaterVerge

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

Graded A- — but Copper and Chlorate were detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓

3K residents served 1 water system PWSID: NY3503530
Overall Score
85.2 / 100
Violations
3 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Ground water under influence
#447 of 855 in New York Top 35% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
85.2/100
waterverge.com
A- 85.2/100

Greenwood Lake (V), NY — Water Quality Report

Greenwood Lake (V)'s drinking water received a grade of A- (85.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,383 residents using ground water under influence.

Lead levels were measured at 2.5 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 98 violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Greenwood Lake (V)'s water

Greenwood Lake (V) ranks #447 out of 855 cities in New York for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

Greenwood Lake (V) 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.

Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.09 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
85.2 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
37.6/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
16/20
B
Lead at 2.5 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
18.1/20
A
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
3.5/5
C
Water source: Ground water under influence.
Water Safety

Is Greenwood Lake (V), NY water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Greenwood Lake (V)'s drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (85.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,383 residents using groundwater (wells).

3
Active Violations
2.5 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Greenwood Lake (V)

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Greenwood Lake (V)'s water quality assessment. Grade: A- (85.2/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Disaster
REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4615). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3572). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Greenwood Lake (V)'s water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 2.5 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Copper Exceeds Limit
Detected: 1.60 mg/L Limit: 1.3 mg/L (EPA Action Level)

Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.

Violation history

Greenwood Lake (V)'s water system has 98 total violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MONMRMCLOther
Most recent violations:
May 2024 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jul 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Resolved
Jan 2020 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jul 2016 Lead and Copper Rule Resolved
Oct 2008 Lead and Copper Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Orange County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1999. 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 Greenwood Lake At Awosting, Wanaque River At Awosting, Wanaque River At Monks, Ringwood Creek Near Wanaque, West Brook Near Wanaque.

REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA
Hurricane FEMA DR-4615
REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3572
HURRICANE HENRI
Hurricane FEMA DR-3565

Where does Greenwood Lake (V)'s water come from?

Greenwood Lake (V)'s drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 3,383 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Greenwood Lake At Awosting (lake), Wanaque River At Awosting (river), Wanaque River At Monks (river), Ringwood Creek Near Wanaque (river), West Brook Near Wanaque (river).

What Greenwood Lake (V) residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Greenwood Lake (V)'s water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Greenwood Lake (V)'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
2.5 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 17% of limit
Safe Level
Copper (90th percentile)
Inorganic
Over Limit
1.60 mg/L
EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L · +20% over limit
Exceeds Limit
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent Chromium)
Inorganic
Detected
0.09 µg/L
CA MCL (no federal MCL): 10 µg/L · 1% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Strontium
Inorganic
Detected
159.0 µg/L
EPA Health Ref Level: 1,500 µg/L · 11% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
1,4-Dioxane
Organic
Detected
0.09 µg/L
EPA Health Advisory: 0.35 µg/L · 25% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Chlorate
Disinfection Byproduct
Over HA
291.8 µg/L
EPA Lifetime HA: 210 µg/L · +20% over limit
Over Health AdvisoryUCMR 3 Data
Compliance Record

Violation summary

98
Total violations
9
Health-based
3
Active / unresolved
May 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

98 Total
3 Active
9 Health-based
95 Resolved
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
80
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
9
Lead and Copper Rule
4
Revised Total Coliform Rule
1
Miscellaneous Other Rules
1
Jan 2020 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2008 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
May 2024 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved May 2024
Jul 2021 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2021
Jul 2016 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2016
Jan 2006 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2006
Jan 2006 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2006
Oct 2005 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2005
Oct 2005 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2005
Jul 2005 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2005
Jul 2005 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2005
Apr 2005 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2005
Apr 2005 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2005
Jul 2004 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2004
Mar 2004 Resolved
1,2-Dichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2004
Mar 2004 Resolved
Trichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2004
Mar 2004 Resolved
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2004
Mar 2004 Resolved
Vinyl chloride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2004
Mar 2004 Resolved
1,1-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2004
Showing 20 of 98 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D1 — moderate drought

Orange County is currently in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

10.4%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
4
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

10
Declared disasters
Sep 2021
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Orange County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1999. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2021
REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA
Hurricane FEMA #4615
Sep 2021
REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA
Hurricane FEMA #3572
Aug 2021
HURRICANE HENRI
Hurricane FEMA #3565
Oct 2012
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA #4085
Oct 2012
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA #3351
Aug 2011
HURRICANE IRENE
Hurricane FEMA #4020

Recommended water filters

Based on contaminants detected in Greenwood Lake (V)'s water supply, we recommend the following filter types.

🔧
For Copper
Reverse Osmosis or KDF Filter
Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 2.5 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Copper (90th percentile) 1.60 1.3 mg/L Inorganic Over Limit
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 7.0 ppb from 1993 (9.5 ppb) to 2024 (2.5 ppb).

Copper level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L
Copper has increased by 0.200 mg/L from 2014 (1.400 mg/L) to 2019 (1.600 mg/L).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Greenwood Lake (V) compares by contaminant

Explore where Greenwood Lake (V) ranks among all New York cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Ground Water Under Influence
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
3,383
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Greenwood Lake (V)'s water comes from

Ground Water Under Influence

Greenwood Lake (V)'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 3,383 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Greenwood Lake (V)

Greenwood Lake (V) is located near 5 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Greenwood Lake At Awosting
lake
Wanaque River At Awosting
river
Wanaque River At Monks
river
Ringwood Creek Near Wanaque
river
West Brook Near Wanaque
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Greenwood Lake (V)

System Name PWSID Population Source
GREENWOOD LAKE VILLAGE NY3503530 3,383 GU
Regional Comparison

How Greenwood Lake (V) compares

Full New York rankings →

Greenwood Lake (V)'s score of 85.2/100 is above the average of 74/100 among major New York cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Greenwood Lake (V) (this city)
85.2
New York avg
74
City Profile

About Greenwood Lake (V), NY

Wikipedia →

Greenwood Lake is a village in Orange County, New York, United States, in the southern part of the town of Warwick. As of the 2020 census, the population of the village was 2,994. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the larger New York–Newark–Bridgeport Combined Statistical Area.

Economic Profile
$79,261
Median Income
$294,352
Median Home Value
$1,330/mo
Median Rent
4.7%
Unemployment
Community
37.9
Median Age
577
People / sq mi
26.2%
College Educated
74%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Greenwood Lake (V), NY tap water safe to drink?

Greenwood Lake (V)'s water quality earned a grade of A- (85.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #447 out of 855 cities tested in New York.

What contaminants are in Greenwood Lake (V)'s water?

Lead was measured at 2.5 ppb (90th percentile). 98 violations are on record.

How is Greenwood Lake (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 Greenwood Lake (V)?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Greenwood Lake (V)'s water come from?

Greenwood Lake (V)'s water is sourced from Ground water under influence. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 3,383 residents.

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

Greenwood Lake (V) has 9 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in May 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.

Is Greenwood Lake (V)'s groundwater at risk of contamination?

Greenwood Lake (V) 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 98 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 Greenwood Lake (V)'s water compare to other cities?

Greenwood Lake (V) ranks #447 out of 855 cities in New York (better than 48% of state cities) and #5448 out of 15744 cities nationally (65th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.