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WaterVerge

Water quality report · updated Jul 2026

Is Pamelia (T), NY Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded C, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do ↓

0 contaminants over a legal limit
4.1 ppb lead, 90th percentile · low
2 unresolved violations
1K people served by 2 water systems

PWSID NY2230066 · moderate data confidence · local government utility

Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated July 2026
C 62.2 / 100

#725 of 810New York cities
How we grade →

01The verdict: is Pamelia (T) water safe?

Pamelia (T)'s tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of C (62.2/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,000 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

The concern

2 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 ↓
The good news

Lead is well under the limit

90th-percentile lead is 4.1 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.

See the trend ↓
Keep watching

9 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 ↓

Pamelia (T)'s drinking water received a grade of C (62.2 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,000 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 4.1 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 101 violations on record, including 71 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

Pamelia (T) ranks #725 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. As a small community water system, Pamelia (T) may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 9 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

How the 62.2/100 breaks down Methodology →
ViolationsHistorical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
14.2 / 45F
Lead & CopperLead at 4.1 ppb (90th percentile).
17 / 20B
ContaminantsPFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
17 / 20B
ComplianceMonitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
10 / 10A
Source RiskWater source: Purchased surface water.
4 / 5B

02What's in Pamelia (T)'s water

Every contaminant flagged in Pamelia (T), 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) 4.1 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

03Pamelia (T)'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 101 violations on record, including 71 health-based violations. 2 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.

28 health-based in 10 yrs
UpdateWater quality data updatedLatest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Pamelia (T)'s water quality assessment. Grade: C (62.2/100).
Violation2 drinking water violations recorded2 health-based. Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).Resolved
Violation2 drinking water violations recorded2 health-based. Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).Resolved
Violation3 drinking water violations recorded3 health-based. Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.Resolved
DisasterFLOODINGFederal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4348). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
DisasterHURRICANE SANDYFederal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3351). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Lead, 90th percentileppb · lower is better
05101520EPA action level · 15 ppb2003 — 3.1 ppb2015 — 8 ppb2016 — 3.8 ppb2017 — 4.1 ppb3.14.12003201520162017

Up 1.0 ppb since 2003. Latest reading: 4.1 ppb (2017) — 27% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).

04Where Pamelia (T)'s water comes from

Pamelia (T)'s drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Source

Purchased Surface Water

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

Treatment

Wholesale supplier

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

Distribution

2 systems

2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.

Delivery

1,000 people

Residents served across Pamelia (T)'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 1,000 people through 2 water systems.

System namePWSIDPopulationSource
PAMELIA TOWN WD 4 & 5 NY2230066 1,000 Purchased Surface Water
PAMELIA TOWN WD #2 NY2230075 150 Purchased Surface Water

Water bodies near Pamelia (T)

Black River · river

As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Pamelia (T)'s drinking water supply.

05Pressure on Pamelia (T)'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

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

FLOODING Nov 2017 · DR-4348
HURRICANE SANDY Oct 2012 · DR-3351
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION Sep 2005 · DR-3262

06How Pamelia (T) 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-
Pamelia (T) (this city)
62.2 · C

dashed line = New York average (78/100)

Pamelia (T) scores 62.2/100below the New York average of 78/100. It outscores 1 of 10 nearby cities. Full New York rankings →

Jefferson 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 Pamelia (T)'s water — not generic advice.

Extra protection

A basic carbon filter still helps

Pamelia (T)'s water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.

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 Pamelia (T) 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 Pamelia (T), NY tap water safe to drink?

Pamelia (T)'s water quality earned a grade of C (62.2/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #725 out of 810 cities tested in New York.

What contaminants are in Pamelia (T)'s water?

Lead was measured at 4.1 ppb (90th percentile). 101 violations are on record.

How is Pamelia (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 Pamelia (T)?

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

Where does Pamelia (T)'s water come from?

Pamelia (T)'s water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,000 residents.

What health violations has Pamelia (T)'s water system had?

Pamelia (T) has 71 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2022. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.

How does Pamelia (T)'s water compare to other cities?

Pamelia (T) ranks #725 out of 810 cities in New York (better than 10% of state cities) and #11711 out of 15382 cities nationally (24th percentile). The grade of C reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

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About Pamelia (T), NY: Watertown is a city in and the county seat of Jefferson County, New York, United States. It is approximately 25 miles (40 km) south of the Thousand Islands, along the Black River, about 5 miles (8 km) east of where it flows into Lake Ontario. The city is bordered by the town of Watertown to the south, east, and west, and is served by the Watertown International Airport and the Watertown Daily Times newspaper. In the middle of Watertown lies the Public Square Historic District, which was built in 1805 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1984. Watertown is located 13 miles southwest of the U.S. Army base at Fort Drum; it is the service and shopping destination for personnel there and their families. As of the 2020 United States census, the city has 24,685 residents, making it the largest city in the North Country. Wikipedia → 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.