WaterVerge

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

Graded D+, with 4 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

772 residents served 1 water system PWSID: NY0600376
Overall Score
52 / 100
Violations
4 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#776 of 855 in New York Top 82% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
D+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
52/100
waterverge.com
D+ 52/100

Sinclairville (V), NY — Water Quality Report

Sinclairville (V)'s drinking water received a grade of D+ (52 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 772 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 161 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Sinclairville (V)'s water

Sinclairville (V) ranks #776 out of 855 cities in New York for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.

Sinclairville (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.

As a small community water system, Sinclairville (V) may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 155 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
52 out of 100 Grade D+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
0/45
F
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Sinclairville (V), NY water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Sinclairville (V)'s drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (52/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 772 residents using groundwater (wells).

4
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
4 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Sinclairville (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 Sinclairville (V)'s water quality assessment. Grade: D+ (52/100).

Violation
20 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, Vinyl chloride, DICHLOROMETHANE.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Violation
30 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Toxaphene, OXAMYL, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4129). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HURRICANE SANDY

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3351). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Sinclairville (V)'s water system has 161 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved. 155 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MRRPTMONOther
Most recent violations:
Apr 2025 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene Resolved
Apr 2025 Vinyl chloride Resolved
Apr 2025 DICHLOROMETHANE Resolved
Apr 2025 Carbon tetrachloride Resolved
Apr 2025 cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Chautauqua County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1972. 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 Chautauqua Lake.

SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4129
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA DR-3351
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3262

Where does Sinclairville (V)'s water come from?

Sinclairville (V)'s drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 772 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Chautauqua Lake (lake).

What Sinclairville (V) residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Sinclairville (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

Sinclairville (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
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

161
Total violations
0
Health-based
4
Active / unresolved
Apr 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

161 Total
4 Active
0 Health-based
157 Resolved
2 SNC
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
80
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
56
Inorganic Chemicals
11
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
4
Revised Total Coliform Rule
2
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jul 2022 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2019 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Apr 2025 Resolved
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
Vinyl chloride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
DICHLOROMETHANE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
Carbon tetrachloride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
1,2-Dichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
Trichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
Tetrachloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
o-Dichlorobenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
Ethylbenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
CHLOROBENZENE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
p-Dichlorobenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
1,2-Dichloropropane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
Toluene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
1,1-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Showing 20 of 161 violations
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

4
Declared disasters
Jul 2013
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Chautauqua County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Jul 2013
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4129
Oct 2012
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA #3351
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3262
Jun 1972
TROPICAL STORM AGNES
Flood FEMA #338

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 2.0 ppb from 1993 (2.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Sinclairville (V) compares by contaminant

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

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
772
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Sinclairville (V)'s water comes from

Groundwater

Sinclairville (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 772 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Sinclairville (V)

Sinclairville (V) is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Chautauqua Lake
lake
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Sinclairville (V)

System Name PWSID Population Source
SINCLAIRVILLE VILLAGE NY0600376 772 GW
Regional Comparison

How Sinclairville (V) compares

Full New York rankings →

Sinclairville (V)'s score of 52/100 is below the average of 74/100 among major New York cities. It outscores 1 of 10 nearby cities. 9 of 10 nearby cities score higher.

Sinclairville (V) (this city)
52
New York avg
74
City Profile

About Sinclairville (V), NY

Wikipedia →

Sinclairville is a village in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 578 at the 2020 census. The village is named after Major Samuel Sinclear, its founder. Sinclairville is north of Jamestown and is on the border of the towns of Charlotte and Gerry.

Economic Profile
$38,750
Median Income
$81,281
Median Home Value
$419/mo
Median Rent
2.2%
Unemployment
Community
42.7
Median Age
142
People / sq mi
18.6%
College Educated
69.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

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

Sinclairville (V)'s water quality earned a grade of D+ (52/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #776 out of 855 cities tested in New York.

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

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 161 violations are on record.

How is Sinclairville (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 Sinclairville (V)?

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

Where does Sinclairville (V)'s water come from?

Sinclairville (V)'s water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 772 residents.

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

Sinclairville (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 161 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 Sinclairville (V)'s water compare to other cities?

Sinclairville (V) ranks #776 out of 855 cities in New York (better than 9% of state cities) and #12834 out of 15744 cities nationally (19th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Sinclairville (V)'s small water system affect quality?

Sinclairville (V)'s system serves approximately 772 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 161 violations on record.