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WaterVerge

Water quality report · updated Jul 2026

Is Sennett (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 ↓

0 contaminants over a legal limit
2.9 ppb lead, 90th percentile · low
1 unresolved violation
1K people served by 1 water system

PWSID NY0511741 · moderate data confidence · local government utility

Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated July 2026
A 93.4 / 100

#101 of 810New York cities
How we grade →

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

Sennett (T)'s tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (93.4/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,467 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

The concern

1 unresolved violation on record

EPA records show an open compliance item 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 2.9 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.

See the trend ↓
Keep watching

A flood-prone service area

8 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.

See the risk factors ↓

Sennett (T)'s drinking water received a grade of A (93.4 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,467 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 2.9 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 5 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.

Sennett (T) ranks #101 out of 810 cities in New York for water quality, placing it above average 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, Sennett (T) may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

How the 93.4/100 breaks down Methodology →
ViolationsHistorical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
44.4 / 45A
Lead & CopperLead at 2.9 ppb (90th percentile).
20 / 20A
ContaminantsPFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
17 / 20B
ComplianceMonitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
8 / 10B
Source RiskWater source: Purchased surface water.
4 / 5B

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

Every contaminant flagged in Sennett (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) 2.9 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

03Sennett (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 5 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.

All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Sennett (T).

UpdateWater quality data updatedLatest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Sennett (T)'s water quality assessment. Grade: A (93.4/100).
DisasterREMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM FREDFederal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4625). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
DisasterFLOODINGFederal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4348). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Violation1 drinking water violation recorded1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.Resolved
Violation1 drinking water violation recorded1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.Resolved
Violation1 drinking water violation recorded1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.Resolved
Lead, 90th percentileppb · lower is better
05101520EPA action level · 15 ppb2001 — 8 ppb2003 — 8 ppb2005 — 2.6 ppb2008 — 2 ppb2011 — 3.7 ppb2014 — 2.2 ppb2017 — 3 ppb2020 — 3.2 ppb2023 — 2.9 ppb82.920012005201120172023

Down 5.1 ppb since 2001. Latest reading: 2.9 ppb (2023) — 19% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).

04Where Sennett (T)'s water comes from

Sennett (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

1 system

1 water system, operated under local government ownership.

Delivery

1,467 people

Residents served across Sennett (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 1,467 people through 1 water system.

System namePWSIDPopulationSource
SENNETT CONSOLIDATED WATER DISTRICTS NY0511741 1,467 Purchased Surface Water

Water bodies near Sennett (T)

Owasco Lake · lake Owasco Outlet · river Seneca River (Erie Canal) · river Skaneateles Creek · river

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

05Pressure on Sennett (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

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

REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM FRED Oct 2021 · DR-4625
FLOODING Nov 2017 · DR-4348
HURRICANE SANDY Oct 2012 · DR-3351

06How Sennett (T) compares

Scores for nearby New York cities on one line, with the average marked.

Sennett (T) (this city)
93.4 · A
New York (C)
89 · A-
Smithtown (T)
84.8 · B+
Islip (T)
71.8 · B-

dashed line = New York average (78/100)

Sennett (T) scores 93.4/100above the New York average of 78/100. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities. Full New York rankings →

Cayuga 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 Sennett (T)'s water — not generic advice.

Extra protection

A basic carbon filter still helps

Sennett (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 →
Know your report

Read your utility's annual report

Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.

How to read a CCR →
Stay informed

Watch for Sennett (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 Sennett (T), NY tap water safe to drink?

Sennett (T)'s water quality earned a grade of A (93.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #101 out of 810 cities tested in New York.

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

Lead was measured at 2.9 ppb (90th percentile). 5 violations are on record.

How is Sennett (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 Sennett (T)?

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

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

Sennett (T)'s water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,467 residents.

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

Sennett (T) has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2010. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.

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

Sennett (T) ranks #101 out of 810 cities in New York (better than 88% of state cities) and #846 out of 15382 cities nationally (95th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Sennett (T)'s small water system affect quality?

Sennett (T)'s system serves approximately 1,467 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 5 violations on record.

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About Sennett (T), NY: Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States. Located at the north end of Owasco Lake, one of the Finger Lakes in Central New York, the city had a population of 26,866 at the 2020 census. It is the largest city of Cayuga County, the county seat, and the site of the maximum-security Auburn Correctional Facility, as well as the William H. Seward House Museum and the house of abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Median household income $48,203 · median home value $140,401 · median age 40.3 · 44.9% homeowners · 19.1% college educated. 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.