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WaterVerge

Water quality report · updated Jul 2026

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

Graded D — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do ↓

1 contaminant over a legal limit
11.2 ppb lead, 90th percentile
6 unresolved violations
1K people served by 2 water systems

PWSID NY1900030 · moderate data confidence · local government utility

Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated July 2026
D 46.1 / 100

#776 of 810New York cities
How we grade →

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

Hunter (V)'s drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (46.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,230 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

The concern

Copper is over its legal limit

Measured at 1.58 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.

See the measurement ↓
Context

1K people, 2 systems

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

See the systems ↓
Keep watching

Lead is approaching its limit

Measured at 11.2 ppb — 75% of the 15 ppb limit. Within the rules, but with less headroom than you'd want.

See the ledger ↓

Hunter (V)'s drinking water received a grade of D (46.1 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,230 residents using surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 11.2 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 62 violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved.

Hunter (V) ranks #776 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, Hunter (V) may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 52 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

How the 46.1/100 breaks down Methodology →
ViolationsHistorical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
8.1 / 45F
Lead & CopperLead at 11.2 ppb (90th percentile).
9 / 20D
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 Hunter (V)'s water

Every contaminant flagged in Hunter (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.

2 detections · sorted by % of legal limit
Over the limit Elevated — watch Within limits
0 50% LEGAL LIMIT 150%

Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L

Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.
Exceeds Limit What to do →
2 contaminants tested under EPA SDWIS, LCR and UCMR programs · 2 detected · not yet tested for PFAS under UCMR 5

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 11.2 15 ppb Inorganic Near Limit
Copper (90th percentile) 1.58 1.3 mg/L Inorganic Over Limit
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

03Hunter (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 62 violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved.

4 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.

3 health-based in 10 yrs 53 monitoring & paperwork 4 still unresolved
UpdateWater quality data updatedLatest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Hunter (V)'s water quality assessment. Grade: D (46.1/100).
Violation1 drinking water violation recordedContaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.Resolved
Violation1 drinking water violation recordedContaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.Resolved
Violation1 drinking water violation recordedContaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.Open
DisasterHURRICANE HENRIFederal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3565). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
DisasterHURRICANE SANDYFederal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4085). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Lead, 90th percentileppb · lower is better
0204060EPA action level · 15 ppb1993 — 0 ppb2003 — 9 ppb2006 — 12 ppb2007 — 44 ppb2008 — 3 ppb2009 — 7 ppb2010 — 8 ppb2011 — 4 ppb2012 — 6 ppb2017 — 10 ppb2018 — 7.1 ppb2021 — 1.2 ppb2024 — 11 ppb1119932007201020172024

Up 11 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 11 ppb (2024) — 75% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).

Copper, 90th percentilemg/L

1.6mg/L(2007)

One sampling round on record — 122% of the 1.3mg/L EPA action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).

04Where Hunter (V)'s water comes from

Hunter (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

2 systems

2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.

Delivery

1,230 people

Residents served across Hunter (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 1,230 people through 2 water systems.

System namePWSIDPopulationSource
HUNTER VILLAGE NY1900030 1,030 Surface Water
WHISTLE TREE DEVELOPMENT CORP. NY1930124 200 Groundwater

Water bodies near Hunter (V)

East Kill · river Schoharie Creek · river West Kill Below Hunter Brook · river Diversion From Schoharie Reservoir · stream Broadst Hollow · river

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

05Pressure on Hunter (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

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

HURRICANE HENRI Aug 2021 · DR-3565
HURRICANE SANDY Oct 2012 · DR-4085
HURRICANE SANDY Oct 2012 · DR-3351

Drought

D1 — moderate drought

Greene County is in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

Months in D2+ over the last 30 years6.8%

06How Hunter (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+
Islip (T)
71.8 · B-
Hunter (V) (this city)
46.1 · D

dashed line = New York average (78/100)

Hunter (V) scores 46.1/100below the New York average of 78/100. Full New York rankings →

Greene 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 Hunter (V)'s water — not generic advice.

Because of lead

Filter drinking & cooking water

NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 11.2 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 Hunter (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 Hunter (V), NY tap water safe to drink?

Hunter (V)'s water quality earned a grade of D (46.1/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #776 out of 810 cities tested in New York.

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

Lead was measured at 11.2 ppb (90th percentile). 62 violations are on record.

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

Hunter (V)'s water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,230 residents.

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

Hunter (V) has 5 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. 6 violations remain unresolved.

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

Hunter (V) ranks #776 out of 810 cities in New York (better than 4% of state cities) and #13633 out of 15382 cities nationally (11th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

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About Hunter (V), NY: Median household income $59,286 · median home value $258,687 · median age 50.1 · 66.1% homeowners · 32.6% 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.