Nitrate Contamination

Nitrate in New York Drinking Water

Ranked by nitrate violation count · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

401

Cities Tested

401

Has Violations

100%

% Has Violations

4.5 violations

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

594

Health Violations

Analysis

Nitrate in New York: what the data shows

New York has 401 cities with nitrate-related violations. The EPA MCL for nitrate is 10 mg/L (measured as nitrogen). The state has 401 cities with at least one nitrate violation. Nitrate is the most common groundwater contaminant in the United States. It enters water supplies primarily through agricultural fertilizer runoff, septic system leaching, and animal feedlot operations. Rural and agricultural communities face the highest risk. The primary acute health concern is methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome") in infants under six months. Emerging research also links chronic nitrate exposure to thyroid disease, certain cancers, and adverse birth outcomes. Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation can remove nitrate from drinking water — standard carbon filters do not.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 10 mg/L EPA MCL

New York

100%

401 of 401 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

7727 of 7727 cities

City Map

Nitrate data across New York

Each dot is a city with nitrate violation data. Cities with at least one nitrate-related violation are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by nitrate level in New York

Highest Nitrate levels (violations)

All Cities

All New York cities ranked by nitrate level

#	City	Level	Violations?	Violations	Grade
1	Plattekill (T)	49 violations	Yes	4	D+
2	Milton (T)	34 violations	Yes	28	D
3	Wawarsing (T)	29 violations	Yes	7	D
4	Wallkill (T)	24 violations	Yes	23	F
5	Wilton (T)	24 violations	Yes	7	D
6	Saugerties (T)	22 violations	Yes	6	F
7	Bath (T)	22 violations	Yes	7	D+
8	Chenango (T)	21 violations	Yes	17	F
9	Thompson (T)	21 violations	Yes	6	D
10	Rosendale (T)	21 violations	Yes	3	D
11	Wawayanda (T)	20 violations	Yes	10	D
12	Chester (T)	19 violations	Yes	25	D+
13	Goshen (T)	19 violations	Yes	20	F
14	Verona (T)	19 violations	Yes	12	B-
15	East Fishkill (T)	19 violations	Yes	21	F
16	Dannemora (T)	19 violations	Yes	10	B
17	Ulster (T)	18 violations	Yes	3	F
18	Montgomery (T)	18 violations	Yes	8	D
19	Andover Twp.-1902	18 violations	Yes	9	D+
20	Northumberland (T)	18 violations	Yes	1	D+
21	Kingsbury (T)	17 violations	Yes	9	C+
22	Elbridge (V)	17 violations	Yes	21	C
23	Queensbury (T)	16 violations	Yes	2	F
24	Blooming Grove (T)	16 violations	Yes	5	D
25	Lloyd (T)	16 violations	Yes	4	B-
26	Saranac (T)	16 violations	Yes	9	B-
27	New Castle (T)	15 violations	Yes	3	B
28	Fallsburg (T)	15 violations	Yes	2	F
29	Salamanca	14 violations	Yes	4	F
30	Liberty (T)	14 violations	Yes	10	C
31	Hurley (T)	14 violations	Yes	13	D
32	Saratoga (T)	14 violations	Yes	12	B+
33	Monroe (T)	14 violations	Yes	10	F
34	Forestport (T)	14 violations	Yes	5	A-
35	Newburgh (T)	13 violations	Yes	50	F
36	Lewisboro (T)	13 violations	Yes	24	D
37	Cohocton (V)	13 violations	Yes	6	A
38	Holland (T)	12 violations	Yes	21	D
39	North Hempstead (T)	11 violations	Yes	9	F
40	Malta (T)	11 violations	Yes	3	D
41	Owego (V)	11 violations	Yes	5	B-
42	Warwick (T)	11 violations	Yes	58	D+
43	Huntington (T)	10 violations	Yes	11	D
44	Brunswick (T)	10 violations	Yes	8	D+
45	Alden (T)	10 violations	Yes	1	A-
46	North Elba (T)	10 violations	Yes	6	C+
47	Chatham (V)	10 violations	Yes	2	B+
48	Marshall (T)	10 violations	Yes	2	A
49	Mount Hope (T)	10 violations	Yes	15	C-
50	Shandaken (T)	10 violations	Yes	52	B-
51	Fishkill (T)	9 violations	Yes	2	B
52	Warrensburg (T)	9 violations	Yes	20	D
53	Corinth (V)	9 violations	Yes	3	B+
54	Southeast (T)	9 violations	Yes	20	B-
55	Pawling (V)	9 violations	Yes	8	D+
56	Monsey	9 violations	Yes	6	C-
57	Shawangunk (T)	9 violations	Yes	7	B-
58	Milo (T)	9 violations	Yes	8	B
59	Campbell (T)	9 violations	Yes	0	C
60	Amsterdam (T)	8 violations	Yes	31	D
61	Bethel (T)	8 violations	Yes	3	B
62	Lee (T)	8 violations	Yes	5	B
63	Patterson (T)	8 violations	Yes	12	C-
64	Windham (T)	8 violations	Yes	73	D
65	Copake (T)	8 violations	Yes	1	C
66	Johnsburg (T)	8 violations	Yes	0	B
67	Westport (T)	8 violations	Yes	6	A-
68	Kent (T)	8 violations	Yes	4	C
69	Tusten (T)	8 violations	Yes	0	A-
70	Colchester (T)	8 violations	Yes	5	F
71	Southold (T)	7 violations	Yes	11	B-
72	New Windsor (T)	7 violations	Yes	14	D+
73	Delhi (V)	7 violations	Yes	2	D
74	Allegany (T)	7 violations	Yes	5	B-
75	Schodack (T)	7 violations	Yes	1	A-
76	Hanover (T)	7 violations	Yes	0	A
77	Kinderhook (V)	7 violations	Yes	22	D
78	Fine (T)	7 violations	Yes	4	A-
79	Brooklyn	7 violations	Yes	54	D
80	Marbletown (T)	7 violations	Yes	0	B-
81	Black Brook (T)	7 violations	Yes	2	B+
82	Rockville Center (V)	6 violations	Yes	5	A
83	Cornwall-On-Hudson (V)	6 violations	Yes	3	B+
84	Big Flats (T)	6 violations	Yes	4	A-
85	Liberty (V)	6 violations	Yes	1	B+
86	Whitehall (V)	6 violations	Yes	54	C+
87	Chesterfield (T)	6 violations	Yes	57	B-
88	Fenton (T)	6 violations	Yes	8	D+
89	Webb (T)	6 violations	Yes	9	D
90	North Salem (T)	6 violations	Yes	26	D
91	Schuyler Falls (T)	6 violations	Yes	4	C+
92	Westmoreland (T)	6 violations	Yes	27	B-
93	Andover Twp.-1902	6 violations	Yes	3	D
94	Pleasant Valley (T)	6 violations	Yes	6	C-
95	Guilford (T)	6 violations	Yes	0	A
96	Westbury (V)	5 violations	Yes	2	A-
97	Woodbury (T)	5 violations	Yes	18	C+
98	Oyster Bay (T)	5 violations	Yes	14	B-
99	Crawford (T)	5 violations	Yes	3	C-
100	Gouverneur (V)	5 violations	Yes	11	A
101	Fort Edward(V)	5 violations	Yes	4	B
102	Moriah (T)	5 violations	Yes	16	A-
103	Holley (V)	5 violations	Yes	1	B+
104	Bolton (T)	5 violations	Yes	13	C+
105	Andover (V)	5 violations	Yes	1	D+
106	Jay (T)	5 violations	Yes	8	B-
107	Canaseraga (V)	5 violations	Yes	1	D+
108	Candor (V)	5 violations	Yes	2	B-
109	Altona (T)	5 violations	Yes	6	B+
110	Sharon Springs (V)	5 violations	Yes	18	A-
111	Concord (T)	4 violations	Yes	8	B-
112	Kiryas Joel (V)	4 violations	Yes	3	D+
113	Cortlandt (T)	4 violations	Yes	11	B+
114	Mount Pleasant (T)	4 violations	Yes	36	C
115	New Paltz (T)	4 violations	Yes	4	C+
116	Potsdam (V)	4 violations	Yes	14	B+
117	Catskill (T)	4 violations	Yes	102	F
118	Ballston Spa (V)	4 violations	Yes	2	B
119	South Glens Falls (V)	4 violations	Yes	2	A-
120	Maybrook (V)	4 violations	Yes	0	B+
121	Camden (T)	4 violations	Yes	1	A
122	Camden (V)	4 violations	Yes	1	A
123	Dryden (V)	4 violations	Yes	26	B
124	Paris (T)	4 violations	Yes	1	A
125	Newfield (T)	4 violations	Yes	2	B
126	Moravia (V)	4 violations	Yes	2	A-
127	Greenwich (T)	4 violations	Yes	2	B-
128	Hannibal (T)	4 violations	Yes	0	A-
129	Tuxedo (T)	4 violations	Yes	12	B+
130	Hadley (T)	4 violations	Yes	1	A
131	Philmont (V)	4 violations	Yes	0	B
132	Willsboro (T)	4 violations	Yes	4	A-
133	Middleburgh (V)	4 violations	Yes	1	A
134	Cleveland (V)	4 violations	Yes	0	A-
135	Friendship (T)	4 violations	Yes	38	C+
136	Watertown (T)	4 violations	Yes	20	B
137	Dover (T)	4 violations	Yes	34	D
138	Nedrow	4 violations	Yes	3	D+
139	Lake George (T)	4 violations	Yes	6	B
140	Ovid (V)	4 violations	Yes	11	B-
141	Machias (T)	4 violations	Yes	5	B
142	Augusta (T)	4 violations	Yes	1	A-
143	Oriskany Falls (V)	4 violations	Yes	1	A-
144	Locke (T)	4 violations	Yes	0	A
145	Mexico (T)	4 violations	Yes	0	A
146	Hempstead (T)	3 violations	Yes	14	D
147	Ardsley (V)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
148	Bronxville (V)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
149	Dobbs Ferry (V)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
150	Eastchester (T)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
151	Hastings-On-Hudson (V)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
152	New Rochelle (C)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
153	Pelham Manor (V)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
154	Pelham (V)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
155	Tuckahoe (V)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
156	Deerfield (T)	3 violations	Yes	25	B-
157	Riverhead (T)	3 violations	Yes	5	C+
158	New Hyde Park (V)	3 violations	Yes	1	A
159	Tarrytown (V)	3 violations	Yes	3	B+
160	Briarcliff Manor (V)	3 violations	Yes	9	A-
161	Herkimer (V)	3 violations	Yes	44	F
162	Tupper Lake (V)	3 violations	Yes	67	C+
163	Somers (T)	3 violations	Yes	4	F
164	Barton (T)	3 violations	Yes	4	B
165	Greenport (T)	3 violations	Yes	1	C-
166	Conklin (T)	3 violations	Yes	3	B+
167	Voorheesville (V)	3 violations	Yes	1	C-
168	Cambridge (V)	3 violations	Yes	0	A-
169	Schroon (T)	3 violations	Yes	3	A-
170	Philipstown (T)	3 violations	Yes	5	B-
171	Kirkwood (T)	3 violations	Yes	2	A
172	Phelps (T)	3 violations	Yes	11	B-
173	Rouses Point (V)	3 violations	Yes	39	B+
174	Belmont (V)	3 violations	Yes	2	B+
175	Plant City	3 violations	Yes	5	A
176	Mexico (V)	3 violations	Yes	0	A-
177	Deposit (V)	3 violations	Yes	1	A-
178	Schaghticoke (T)	3 violations	Yes	2	B
179	Rockland (T)	3 violations	Yes	6	A-
180	Tivoli (V)	3 violations	Yes	2	A-
181	Hunter (T)	3 violations	Yes	24	C
182	Newark Valley (V)	3 violations	Yes	0	A
183	Long Lake (T)	3 violations	Yes	8	B
184	Forestville (V)	3 violations	Yes	1	B+
185	Minerva (T)	3 violations	Yes	0	A
186	Berlin (T)	3 violations	Yes	1	B-
187	Denning (T)	3 violations	Yes	1	B+
188	New York	3 violations	Yes	3	B-
189	Remsen (T)	3 violations	Yes	2	A
190	Remsen (V)	3 violations	Yes	2	A
191	Red Hook (T)	3 violations	Yes	1	C+
192	Rhinebeck (T)	3 violations	Yes	3	B-
193	Deruyter (V)	3 violations	Yes	0	A-
194	Middleville (V)	3 violations	Yes	1	B
195	Van Etten (V)	3 violations	Yes	0	A-
196	Sunderland	3 violations	Yes	0	A
197	Islip (T)	2 violations	Yes	7	B-
198	Southampton (T)	2 violations	Yes	5	B
199	Binghamton (C)	2 violations	Yes	5	A-
200	Ossining (T)	2 violations	Yes	6	C
201	Cohoes (C)	2 violations	Yes	5	B+
202	Sea Cliff (V)	2 violations	Yes	0	A+
203	Plattsburgh (T)	2 violations	Yes	3	A-
204	North Greenbush (T)	2 violations	Yes	5	A-
205	Rensselaer (C)	2 violations	Yes	6	B+
206	Baldwinsville (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A
207	Mill Neck (V)	2 violations	Yes	2	A
208	Moreau (T)	2 violations	Yes	4	A-
209	Coxsackie (T)	2 violations	Yes	22	B
210	Wellsville (V)	2 violations	Yes	0	C+
211	Saranac Lake (V)	2 violations	Yes	4	A
212	Hoosick Falls (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
213	Erwin (T)	2 violations	Yes	2	D+
214	Lowville (V)	2 violations	Yes	39	B
215	Ticonderoga (T)	2 violations	Yes	4	A-
216	Chester (V)	2 violations	Yes	4	B-
217	Kirkland (T)	2 violations	Yes	7	A-
218	Owasco (T)	2 violations	Yes	0	A
219	Champlain (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A
220	Beekman (T)	2 violations	Yes	88	F
221	York (T)	2 violations	Yes	20	A-
222	Easton (T)	2 violations	Yes	4	A
223	Collins (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
224	Southampton (V)	2 violations	Yes	2	A
225	Adams (T)	2 violations	Yes	0	A
226	Valatie (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
227	Sangerfield (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	A
228	Waterville (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A
229	Oxford (V)	2 violations	Yes	0	A
230	St. Johnsville (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
231	Nunda (V)	2 violations	Yes	4	A
232	Bainbridge (V)	2 violations	Yes	0	A
233	Cairo (T)	2 violations	Yes	45	F
234	New Berlin (V)	2 violations	Yes	0	A
235	North Collins (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
236	Lacona (V)	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
237	Sandy Creek (V)	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
238	Roxbury (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	D
239	Virgil (T)	2 violations	Yes	2	C
240	Indian Lake (T)	2 violations	Yes	46	B
241	Naples (V)	2 violations	Yes	7	B+
242	Hancock (V)	2 violations	Yes	0	B
243	Norwich (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
244	Unadilla (V)	2 violations	Yes	3	D+
245	Edmeston (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
246	Manchester (T)	2 violations	Yes	9	B-
247	Northampton (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	B
248	Waverly (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
249	Bloomingburg (V)	2 violations	Yes	2	A-
250	Pine Plains (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	A
251	Afton (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A
252	South Bristol (T)	2 violations	Yes	0	C-
253	Port Leyden (V)	2 violations	Yes	5	B
254	Granville (T)	2 violations	Yes	6	B+
255	Newport (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
256	Odessa	2 violations	Yes	8	B+
257	Unionville (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A
258	Red Creek (V)	2 violations	Yes	2	A-
259	Fort Ann (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	B-
260	Hammondsport (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A
261	Yorkshire (T)	2 violations	Yes	5	A-
262	Alexandria (T)	2 violations	Yes	2	A-
263	Brookhaven (T)	1 violations	Yes	3	C
264	East Hampton (T)	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
265	Smithtown (T)	1 violations	Yes	5	B+
266	Ithaca (C)	1 violations	Yes	11	B+
267	Mamaroneck	1 violations	Yes	5	B+
268	Endicott (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
269	Yorktown (T)	1 violations	Yes	13	B
270	Great Neck Estates (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A+
271	Great Neck Plaza (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A+
272	Great Neck (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A+
273	Kensington (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A+
274	Kings Point (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A+
275	Saddle Rock (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A+
276	Thomaston (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A+
277	Newburgh (C)	1 violations	Yes	17	A-
278	Glen Cove (C)	1 violations	Yes	4	B+
279	Saratoga Sprngs (C)	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
280	Peekskill (C)	1 violations	Yes	15	A-
281	Mineola (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
282	Massena (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
283	Oneonta (T)	1 violations	Yes	1	C
284	Halfmoon (T)	1 violations	Yes	3	A
285	Horseheads (V)	1 violations	Yes	6	D+
286	Glens Falls (C)	1 violations	Yes	17	B+
287	Wappinger (T)	1 violations	Yes	9	D
288	Malone (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A+
289	Babylon (T)	1 violations	Yes	6	B+
290	Corning (C)	1 violations	Yes	2	B-
291	Oneida (C)	1 violations	Yes	3	A
292	Oneida Castle (V)	1 violations	Yes	3	A
293	Mount Kisco (V)	1 violations	Yes	5	A-
294	Ogdensburg (C)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
295	Ballston (T)	1 violations	Yes	6	B+
296	Hornell (C)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
297	Hornelslville (T)	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
298	North Hornell (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
299	Waterford (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
300	Chautauqua (T)	1 violations	Yes	41	F
301	Dansville (V)	1 violations	Yes	4	A
302	Johnstown (C)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
303	Geneseo (V)	1 violations	Yes	7	A-
304	Monticello (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	C+
305	Huron (T)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
306	Washingtonville (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
307	Williston Park (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
308	Canton (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A+
309	Walden (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
310	Hudson (C)	1 violations	Yes	5	A
311	Irvington (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
312	Dannemora (V)	1 violations	Yes	6	A-
313	Albion (V)	1 violations	Yes	3	A
314	Penn Yan (V)	1 violations	Yes	8	B-
315	Lake Placid (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A+
316	Cobleskill (V)	1 violations	Yes	7	B
317	Ellenville (V)	1 violations	Yes	15	C+
318	Springville (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
319	Hamilton (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
320	Highland Falls (V)	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
321	Coxsackie (V)	1 violations	Yes	19	A-
322	New Baltimore (T)	1 violations	Yes	19	A-
323	Mount Morris (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
324	Gorham (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
325	Jerusalem (T)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
326	Frankfort (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
327	Cold Spring (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
328	Rushville (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
329	Boonville (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
330	Boonville (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
331	Watkins Glen (V)	1 violations	Yes	7	A
332	Phoenix (V)	1 violations	Yes	4	B+
333	Lake Pleasant (T)	1 violations	Yes	1	A
334	Speculator (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A
335	Athens (T)	1 violations	Yes	30	A-
336	Caneadea (T)	1 violations	Yes	16	A
337	Mayville (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	B
338	Stockport (T)	1 violations	Yes	2	B
339	Union Springs (V)	1 violations	Yes	7	A
340	Rose (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
341	Addison (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
342	Lake George (V)	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
343	Franklinville (V)	1 violations	Yes	4	A-
344	Painted Post (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
345	West Carthage (V)	1 violations	Yes	12	A-
346	Wayland (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
347	Montour Falls (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
348	Stillwater (V)	1 violations	Yes	13	B+
349	Groveland (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
350	Ellicottville (T)	1 violations	Yes	3	A
351	Lyndonville (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A
352	Wurtsboro (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
353	Richmondville (T)	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
354	Burdett (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	B
355	Shortsville (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
356	Stamford (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
357	Hunter (V)	1 violations	Yes	5	D
358	Brownville (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
359	Amenia (T)	1 violations	Yes	4	D+
360	Lagrange (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	F
361	Northville (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
362	Vernon (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
363	Castile (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
364	Schaghticoke (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
365	Greenville (T)	1 violations	Yes	2	D
366	Tuxedo Park (V)	1 violations	Yes	4	A-
367	Otisville (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A
368	Portville (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
369	Fair Haven (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
370	Scio (T)	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
371	Crown Point (T)	1 violations	Yes	1	A
372	St. Armand (T)	1 violations	Yes	1	A
373	Angelica (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
374	Waddington (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
375	Schoharie (V)	1 violations	Yes	21	B+
376	Antwerp (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A
377	Croghan (V)	1 violations	Yes	5	A
378	Fort Covington (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	A+
379	West Winfield (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	B
380	Lyons Falls (V)	1 violations	Yes	5	A
381	Arkport (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
382	Cassadaga (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
383	Odessa (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
384	Savona (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A+
385	Madrid (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
386	Corinth (T)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
387	Round Lake (V)	1 violations	Yes	17	A
388	Fultonville (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	C
389	Hume (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
390	Chazy	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
391	Sherman (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
392	Clymer (T)	1 violations	Yes	1	A
393	Leicester (V)	1 violations	Yes	13	B+
394	Cazenovia (T)	1 violations	Yes	17	A-
395	Tannersville (V)	1 violations	Yes	6	B
396	Cato (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
397	Davenport (T)	1 violations	Yes	8	F
398	Nelson (T)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
399	Perrysburg (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
400	Wellsburg (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
401	Poland (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about nitrate in New York

Is nitrate in New York tap water dangerous?

Yes — 401 cities in New York have nitrate-related violations. The EPA MCL is 10 mg/L. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants under six months, where it can cause methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome"). Adults face lower acute risk, but chronic exposure is linked to thyroid disease and certain cancers.

How can I remove nitrate from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation are effective at removing nitrate. Standard carbon filters (including most pitcher and faucet-mount filters) do NOT remove nitrate. If you rely on a private well in an agricultural area, have your water tested annually for nitrate.

What causes high nitrate levels in New York water?

Nitrate contamination comes primarily from agricultural fertilizer runoff, septic system leaching, and animal feedlot operations. Rural communities near intensive farming are most at risk. Shallow wells are particularly vulnerable. Heavy rainfall can spike nitrate levels as it washes fertilizer into groundwater and surface water supplies.

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