01The verdict: is Stafford (T) water safe?
Stafford (T)'s drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (87.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 15,577 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Chlorate is over its legal limit
Measured at 270.0 µg/L against the EPA Lifetime HA of 210 µg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓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 ↓3 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 ↓Stafford (T)'s drinking water received a grade of A- (87.7 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 15,577 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 20 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 6 remain unresolved.
Stafford (T) ranks #337 out of 810 cities in New York for water quality, placing it mid-range 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. Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.10 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.
02What's in Stafford (T)'s water
Every contaminant flagged in Stafford (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.
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. | 2.9 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in New York
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in New York
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Stafford (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 20 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 6 remain unresolved.
9 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.
▼ Down 5.2 ppb since 2003. Latest reading: 2.9 ppb (2025) — 19% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Stafford (T)'s water comes from
Stafford (T)'s drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under public/private ownership.
15,577 people
Residents served across Stafford (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 public/private ownership and serves approximately 15,577 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCWA GENESEE | NY1800547 | 15,577 | Purchased Surface Water |
| GODFREYS POND | NY1819060 | 40 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Stafford (T)
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Stafford (T)'s drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Stafford (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
6 federal disaster declarations on record for Monroe County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Stafford (T) compares
Scores for nearby New York cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = New York average (78/100)
Stafford (T) scores 87.7/100 — above the New York average of 78/100. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities. Full New York rankings →
89 / 100CBrookhaven (T), NY
60.9 / 100AEast Hampton (T), NY
85.1 / 100BIslip (T), NY
71.8 / 100BSmithtown (T), NY
84.8 / 100BSouthampton (T), NY
78.8 / 100
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 Stafford (T)'s water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Stafford (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 →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 →Watch for Stafford (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 Stafford (T), NY tap water safe to drink?
Stafford (T)'s water quality earned a grade of A- (87.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #337 out of 810 cities tested in New York.
What contaminants are in Stafford (T)'s water?
Lead was measured at 2.9 ppb (90th percentile). 20 violations are on record.
How is Stafford (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 Stafford (T)?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Stafford (T)'s water come from?
Stafford (T)'s water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 15,577 residents.
What health violations has Stafford (T)'s water system had?
Stafford (T) has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 6 violations remain unresolved.
How does Stafford (T)'s water compare to other cities?
Stafford (T) ranks #337 out of 810 cities in New York (better than 58% of state cities) and #3836 out of 15382 cities nationally (75th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.