Is North Elba (T), NY Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded C+ — but Lead was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
67.5/100
waterverge.com North Elba (T), NY — Water Quality Report
North Elba (T)'s drinking water received a grade of C+ (67.5 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 3,306 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 33.0 ppb (90th percentile), which exceeds the EPA action level of 15 ppb. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 79 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved.
What to know about North Elba (T)'s water
North Elba (T) ranks #728 out of 855 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.
Lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb, which typically indicates aging lead service lines or lead solder in the distribution system. An NSF 53-certified filter is strongly recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is North Elba (T), NY water safe to drink?
North Elba (T)'s drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C+ (67.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 3,306 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for North Elba (T)
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into North Elba (T)'s water quality assessment. Grade: C+ (67.5/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4814). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: Nitrate, TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4129). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for North Elba (T)'s water supply.
Exceeds EPA action level. Lead service line replacement and point-of-use filtration recommended.
Violation history
North Elba (T)'s water system has 79 total violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Essex County has experienced 8 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.
Where does North Elba (T)'s water come from?
North Elba (T)'s drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 5 water systems serving approximately 3,306 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What North Elba (T) residents can do
Recommended: NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in North Elba (T)'s water.
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.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
North Elba (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
Essex County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1996. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in North Elba (T)'s water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
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. | 33.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how North Elba (T) compares by contaminant
Explore where North Elba (T) ranks among all New York cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where North Elba (T)'s water comes from
North Elba (T)'s drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
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 state ownership and serves approximately 3,306 people through 5 water systems.
Water systems serving North Elba (T)
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADIRONDACK CORRECTIONAL FACILITY | NY1510497 | 2,400 | SW |
| RAY BROOK WD | NY1500291 | 400 | GW |
| DRAPERS ACRES | NY1511360 | 240 | GW |
| MOUNTAIN LAKE ACADEMY | NY1505390 | 136 | GW |
| NORTH COUNTRY SCHOOL INC | NY1518736 | 130 | GW |
How North Elba (T) compares
Full New York rankings →North Elba (T)'s score of 67.5/100 is below the average of 74/100 among major New York cities. It outscores 2 of 10 nearby cities. 7 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View New York rankings →About North Elba (T), NY
Wikipedia →Ray Brook is a hamlet in the U.S. state of New York, located on NY 86 between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid in the Town of North Elba in Essex County. It is the site of the Adirondack Park Agency, the District 5 office of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Federal Correctional Institution, Ray Brook and the Adirondack Correctional Facility. The New York State Office of Real Property Tax Services—an office within the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance—has an office here as well. The ZIP Code for Ray Brook is 12977.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to North Elba (T)'s water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Essex
Frequently asked questions
Is North Elba (T), NY tap water safe to drink?
North Elba (T)'s water quality earned a grade of C+ (67.5/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #728 out of 855 cities tested in New York.
What contaminants are in North Elba (T)'s water?
Lead was measured at 33.0 ppb (90th percentile). 79 violations are on record.
How is North Elba (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 North Elba (T)?
Yes — lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb. We recommend an NSF 53-certified filter or reverse osmosis system. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does North Elba (T)'s water come from?
North Elba (T)'s water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 5 water systems serving approximately 3,306 residents.
What health violations has North Elba (T)'s water system had?
North Elba (T) has 6 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2020. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 14 violations remain unresolved.
How does North Elba (T)'s water compare to other cities?
North Elba (T) ranks #728 out of 855 cities in New York (better than 15% of state cities) and #11228 out of 15744 cities nationally (29th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.