01The verdict: is Yates (T) water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, Yates (T)'s tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (95.9/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,525 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Nothing over a legal limit
Every contaminant measured in Yates (T)'s water is within its EPA limit, and no violations are unresolved.
See the testing ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 1.1 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓A flood-prone service area
4 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Yates (T)'s drinking water received a grade of A+ (95.9 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,525 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 1.1 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 3 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
Yates (T) ranks #34 out of 810 cities in New York for water quality, placing it one of the best 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, Yates (T) may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Yates (T)'s water
Every contaminant flagged in Yates (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. | 1.1 | 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
03Yates (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 3 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Yates (T).
▼ Down 2.8 ppb since 1992. Latest reading: 1.1 ppb (2025) — 7% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Yates (T)'s water comes from
Yates (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.
3 systems
3 water systems (1 wholesaler), operated under local government ownership.
1,525 people
Residents served across Yates (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 1,525 people through 3 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| YATES W.D. #4 | NY3630017 | 1,525 | Purchased Surface Water |
| YATES W.D. #2 | NY3600604 | 175 | Purchased Surface Water |
| NIAGARA COUNTY WATER DISTRICT | NY3100567 | — | Surface Water |
Water bodies near Yates (T)
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Yates (T)'s drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Yates (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
4 federal disaster declarations on record for Orleans County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Yates (T) compares
Scores for nearby New York cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = New York average (78/100)
Yates (T) scores 95.9/100 — above the New York average of 78/100. It outscores 10 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 Yates (T)'s water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Yates (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 Yates (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 Yates (T), NY tap water safe to drink?
Yates (T)'s water quality earned a grade of A+ (95.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #34 out of 810 cities tested in New York.
What contaminants are in Yates (T)'s water?
Lead was measured at 1.1 ppb (90th percentile). 3 violations are on record.
How is Yates (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 Yates (T)?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Yates (T)'s water come from?
Yates (T)'s water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 1,525 residents.
How does Yates (T)'s water compare to other cities?
Yates (T) ranks #34 out of 810 cities in New York (better than 96% of state cities) and #255 out of 15382 cities nationally (98th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.