Nitrate Contamination

Nitrate in New York Drinking Water

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

439

Cities Tested

439

Has Violations

100%

% Has Violations

4.8 violations

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

630

Health Violations

Analysis

Nitrate in New York: what the data shows

New York has 439 cities with nitrate-related violations. The EPA MCL for nitrate is 10 mg/L (measured as nitrogen). The state has 439 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%

439 of 439 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

8001 of 8001 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	Greenfield (T)	36 violations	Yes	16	D+
3	Milton (T)	34 violations	Yes	28	D
4	Rochester (T)	31 violations	Yes	10	F
5	Wawarsing (T)	29 violations	Yes	7	D
6	Carmel (T)	26 violations	Yes	17	C-
7	Wallkill (T)	24 violations	Yes	23	F
8	Wilton (T)	24 violations	Yes	7	D
9	Saugerties (T)	22 violations	Yes	6	F
10	Bath (T)	22 violations	Yes	7	D+
11	Chenango (T)	21 violations	Yes	17	F
12	Thompson (T)	21 violations	Yes	6	D
13	Rosendale (T)	21 violations	Yes	3	D
14	Wawayanda (T)	20 violations	Yes	10	D
15	Schroeppel (T)	20 violations	Yes	23	C-
16	East Fishkill (T)	19 violations	Yes	21	F
17	Chester (T)	19 violations	Yes	25	D+
18	Goshen (T)	19 violations	Yes	20	F
19	Verona (T)	19 violations	Yes	12	B-
20	Dannemora (T)	19 violations	Yes	10	B
21	Ulster (T)	18 violations	Yes	3	F
22	Montgomery (T)	18 violations	Yes	8	D
23	Andover Twp.-1902	18 violations	Yes	9	D+
24	Northumberland (T)	18 violations	Yes	1	D+
25	Bedford (T)	17 violations	Yes	9	D
26	Kingsbury (T)	17 violations	Yes	9	C+
27	Elbridge (V)	17 violations	Yes	21	C
28	Queensbury (T)	16 violations	Yes	2	F
29	Blooming Grove (T)	16 violations	Yes	5	D
30	Lloyd (T)	16 violations	Yes	4	B-
31	Peru (T)	16 violations	Yes	55	D
32	Saranac (T)	16 violations	Yes	9	B-
33	New Castle (T)	15 violations	Yes	3	B
34	Fallsburg (T)	15 violations	Yes	2	F
35	Fayette (T)	15 violations	Yes	11	C+
36	Salamanca	14 violations	Yes	4	F
37	Bethel (T)	14 violations	Yes	10	C
38	Hurley (T)	14 violations	Yes	13	D
39	Monroe (T)	14 violations	Yes	10	F
40	Easton (T)	14 violations	Yes	12	B+
41	Forestport (T)	14 violations	Yes	5	A-
42	Newburgh (T)	13 violations	Yes	50	F
43	Lewisboro (T)	13 violations	Yes	24	D
44	Cohocton (V)	13 violations	Yes	6	A
45	Holland (T)	12 violations	Yes	21	D
46	Livingston (T)	12 violations	Yes	4	D+
47	Hempstead (T)	11 violations	Yes	9	F
48	Malta (T)	11 violations	Yes	3	D
49	Owego (V)	11 violations	Yes	5	B-
50	Warwick (T)	11 violations	Yes	58	D+
51	Coeymans (T)	11 violations	Yes	3	D+
52	Smithtown (T)	10 violations	Yes	11	D
53	Brunswick (T)	10 violations	Yes	8	D+
54	North Elba (T)	10 violations	Yes	6	C+
55	Mount Hope (T)	10 violations	Yes	15	C-
56	Alden (T)	10 violations	Yes	1	A-
57	Chatham (V)	10 violations	Yes	2	B+
58	Waterville (V)	10 violations	Yes	2	A
59	Shandaken (T)	10 violations	Yes	52	B-
60	Mayfield (T)	10 violations	Yes	2	D+
61	Fishkill (T)	9 violations	Yes	2	B
62	Brewster (V)	9 violations	Yes	20	B-
63	Esopus (T)	9 violations	Yes	25	D
64	Shawangunk (T)	9 violations	Yes	7	B-
65	Warrensburg (T)	9 violations	Yes	20	D
66	Corinth (V)	9 violations	Yes	3	B+
67	Pawling (V)	9 violations	Yes	8	D+
68	Monsey	9 violations	Yes	6	C-
69	Milo (T)	9 violations	Yes	8	B
70	Campbell (T)	9 violations	Yes	0	C
71	Hyde Park (T)	8 violations	Yes	37	F
72	Bethel (T)	8 violations	Yes	3	B
73	Patterson (T)	8 violations	Yes	12	C-
74	Amsterdam (T)	8 violations	Yes	31	D
75	Rome (C)	8 violations	Yes	5	B
76	Windham (T)	8 violations	Yes	73	D
77	Kent (T)	8 violations	Yes	4	C
78	Copake (T)	8 violations	Yes	1	C
79	Johnsburg (T)	8 violations	Yes	0	B
80	Westport (T)	8 violations	Yes	6	A-
81	Colchester (T)	8 violations	Yes	5	F
82	Tusten (T)	8 violations	Yes	0	A-
83	Catlin (T)	8 violations	Yes	16	B-
84	Florida (T)	8 violations	Yes	31	D
85	Smithtown (T)	7 violations	Yes	11	B-
86	New Windsor (T)	7 violations	Yes	14	D+
87	Schodack (T)	7 violations	Yes	1	A-
88	Delhi (V)	7 violations	Yes	2	D
89	Allegany (T)	7 violations	Yes	5	B-
90	Hanover (T)	7 violations	Yes	0	A
91	Kinderhook (V)	7 violations	Yes	22	D
92	Marbletown (T)	7 violations	Yes	0	B-
93	Fine (T)	7 violations	Yes	4	A-
94	Brooklyn	7 violations	Yes	54	D
95	Milford (V)	7 violations	Yes	4	D+
96	Black Brook (T)	7 violations	Yes	2	B+
97	New Hartford (V)	6 violations	Yes	27	B-
98	Rockville Center (V)	6 violations	Yes	5	A
99	Cornwall-On-Hudson (V)	6 violations	Yes	3	B+
100	Big Flats (T)	6 violations	Yes	4	A-
101	Liberty (V)	6 violations	Yes	1	B+
102	Fenton (T)	6 violations	Yes	8	D+
103	Webb (T)	6 violations	Yes	9	D
104	Pleasant Valley (T)	6 violations	Yes	6	C-
105	Whitehall (V)	6 violations	Yes	54	C+
106	North Salem (T)	6 violations	Yes	26	D
107	Chesterfield (T)	6 violations	Yes	57	B-
108	Schuyler Falls (T)	6 violations	Yes	4	C+
109	Andover Twp.-1902	6 violations	Yes	3	D
110	Beekmantown (T)	6 violations	Yes	6	D
111	Ashland (T)	6 violations	Yes	13	D
112	Guilford (T)	6 violations	Yes	0	A
113	Oyster Bay (T)	5 violations	Yes	14	B-
114	Westbury (V)	5 violations	Yes	2	A-
115	Woodbury (T)	5 violations	Yes	18	C+
116	Crawford (T)	5 violations	Yes	3	C-
117	Moriah (T)	5 violations	Yes	16	A-
118	Fort Edward(V)	5 violations	Yes	4	B
119	Gouverneur (V)	5 violations	Yes	11	A
120	Jay (T)	5 violations	Yes	8	B-
121	Holley (V)	5 violations	Yes	1	B+
122	Bolton (T)	5 violations	Yes	13	C+
123	Andover (V)	5 violations	Yes	1	D+
124	Candor (V)	5 violations	Yes	2	B-
125	Canaseraga (V)	5 violations	Yes	1	D+
126	Altona (T)	5 violations	Yes	6	B+
127	Unadilla (T)	5 violations	Yes	4	B-
128	Sharon Springs (V)	5 violations	Yes	18	A-
129	Evans (T)	4 violations	Yes	8	B-
130	Kiryas Joel (V)	4 violations	Yes	3	D+
131	Mount Pleasant (T)	4 violations	Yes	36	C
132	Cortlandt (T)	4 violations	Yes	11	B+
133	Catskill (V)	4 violations	Yes	102	F
134	New Paltz (T)	4 violations	Yes	4	C+
135	Potsdam (V)	4 violations	Yes	14	B+
136	Ballston Spa (V)	4 violations	Yes	2	B
137	South Glens Falls (V)	4 violations	Yes	2	A-
138	Dover (T)	4 violations	Yes	34	D
139	Warwick (T)	4 violations	Yes	12	B+
140	Maybrook (V)	4 violations	Yes	0	B+
141	Dryden (V)	4 violations	Yes	26	B
142	Camden (T)	4 violations	Yes	1	A
143	Camden (T)	4 violations	Yes	1	A
144	Paris (T)	4 violations	Yes	1	A
145	Newfield (T)	4 violations	Yes	2	B
146	Hannibal (T)	4 violations	Yes	0	A-
147	Watertown (T)	4 violations	Yes	20	B
148	Greenwich (T)	4 violations	Yes	2	B-
149	Pawling (T)	4 violations	Yes	39	C-
150	Moravia (V)	4 violations	Yes	2	A-
151	Hadley (T)	4 violations	Yes	1	A
152	Philmont (V)	4 violations	Yes	0	B
153	Willsboro (T)	4 violations	Yes	4	A-
154	Middleburgh (V)	4 violations	Yes	1	A
155	Cleveland (V)	4 violations	Yes	0	A-
156	Friendship (T)	4 violations	Yes	38	C+
157	Nedrow	4 violations	Yes	3	D+
158	Locke (T)	4 violations	Yes	0	A
159	Lake George (T)	4 violations	Yes	6	B
160	Ovid (V)	4 violations	Yes	11	B-
161	Machias (T)	4 violations	Yes	5	B
162	Oriskany Falls (V)	4 violations	Yes	1	A-
163	Oriskany Falls (V)	4 violations	Yes	1	A-
164	German Flatts (T)	4 violations	Yes	0	B
165	Mexico (T)	4 violations	Yes	0	A
166	Springwater (T)	4 violations	Yes	1	C+
167	Smithtown (T)	3 violations	Yes	5	C+
168	Hempstead (T)	3 violations	Yes	14	D
169	Tuckahoe (V)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
170	Tuckahoe (V)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
171	Tuckahoe (V)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
172	Tuckahoe (V)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
173	Tuckahoe (V)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
174	Tuckahoe (V)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
175	Tuckahoe (V)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
176	Tuckahoe (V)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
177	Tuckahoe (V)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
178	New Hartford (V)	3 violations	Yes	25	B-
179	Troy (C)	3 violations	Yes	4	B-
180	New Hyde Park (V)	3 violations	Yes	1	A
181	Somers (T)	3 violations	Yes	4	F
182	Tarrytown (V)	3 violations	Yes	3	B+
183	Briarcliff Manor (V)	3 violations	Yes	9	A-
184	Herkimer (V)	3 violations	Yes	44	F
185	Tupper Lake (V)	3 violations	Yes	67	C+
186	Barton (T)	3 violations	Yes	4	B
187	Cold Spring (V)	3 violations	Yes	5	B-
188	Red Hook (T)	3 violations	Yes	1	C+
189	Greenport (T)	3 violations	Yes	1	C-
190	Schaghticoke (T)	3 violations	Yes	2	B
191	Conklin (T)	3 violations	Yes	3	B+
192	Voorheesville (V)	3 violations	Yes	1	C-
193	Cambridge (V)	3 violations	Yes	0	A-
194	Phelps (T)	3 violations	Yes	11	B-
195	Schroon (T)	3 violations	Yes	3	A-
196	Kirkwood (T)	3 violations	Yes	2	A
197	Rockland (T)	3 violations	Yes	6	A-
198	Rouses Point (V)	3 violations	Yes	39	B+
199	Belmont (V)	3 violations	Yes	2	B+
200	Plant City	3 violations	Yes	5	A
201	Mexico (V)	3 violations	Yes	0	A-
202	Deposit (V)	3 violations	Yes	1	A-
203	Hunter (V)	3 violations	Yes	24	C
204	Tivoli (V)	3 violations	Yes	2	A-
205	Newark Valley (V)	3 violations	Yes	0	A
206	Long Lake (T)	3 violations	Yes	8	B
207	Forestville (V)	3 violations	Yes	1	B+
208	Minerva (T)	3 violations	Yes	0	A
209	Berlin (T)	3 violations	Yes	1	B-
210	Denning (T)	3 violations	Yes	1	B+
211	Rhinebeck (T)	3 violations	Yes	3	B-
212	Hamptonburgh (T)	3 violations	Yes	0	D
213	New York	3 violations	Yes	3	B-
214	Remsen (T)	3 violations	Yes	2	A
215	Remsen (T)	3 violations	Yes	2	A
216	Van Etten (V)	3 violations	Yes	0	A-
217	Montezuma (T)	3 violations	Yes	12	A-
218	Deruyter (V)	3 violations	Yes	0	A-
219	Middleville (V)	3 violations	Yes	1	B
220	Greene (T)	3 violations	Yes	0	A-
221	Sunderland	3 violations	Yes	0	A
222	Smithtown (T)	2 violations	Yes	5	B
223	Smithtown (T)	2 violations	Yes	7	B-
224	Binghamton (C)	2 violations	Yes	5	A-
225	Ossining (T)	2 violations	Yes	6	C
226	Rensselaer (C)	2 violations	Yes	6	B+
227	Cohoes (C)	2 violations	Yes	5	B+
228	Sea Cliff (V)	2 violations	Yes	0	A+
229	Plattsburgh (T)	2 violations	Yes	3	A-
230	North Greenbush (T)	2 violations	Yes	5	A-
231	Baldwinsville (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A
232	Moreau (T)	2 violations	Yes	4	A-
233	Oyster Bay (T)	2 violations	Yes	2	A
234	Beekman (T)	2 violations	Yes	88	F
235	New Baltimore (T)	2 violations	Yes	22	B
236	Wellsville (V)	2 violations	Yes	0	C+
237	Clinton (V)	2 violations	Yes	7	A-
238	Saranac Lake (V)	2 violations	Yes	4	A
239	Hoosick Falls (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
240	Erwin (T)	2 violations	Yes	2	D+
241	Lowville (V)	2 violations	Yes	39	B
242	Ticonderoga (T)	2 violations	Yes	4	A-
243	Chester (V)	2 violations	Yes	4	B-
244	Adams (T)	2 violations	Yes	0	A
245	Owasco (T)	2 violations	Yes	0	A
246	Champlain (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A
247	York (T)	2 violations	Yes	20	A-
248	Eaton (T)	2 violations	Yes	12	B+
249	Collins (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
250	Easton (T)	2 violations	Yes	4	A
251	Southampton (V)	2 violations	Yes	2	A
252	Valatie (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
253	Cairo (T)	2 violations	Yes	45	F
254	Dryden (T)	2 violations	Yes	0	C
255	Waterville (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A
256	Waterville (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A
257	Oxford (V)	2 violations	Yes	0	A
258	Fort Ann (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	B-
259	St. Johnsville (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
260	Manchester (T)	2 violations	Yes	9	B-
261	Nunda (V)	2 violations	Yes	4	A
262	Virgil (T)	2 violations	Yes	2	C
263	Bainbridge (V)	2 violations	Yes	0	A
264	Yorkshire (T)	2 violations	Yes	5	A-
265	New Berlin (V)	2 violations	Yes	0	A
266	North Collins (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
267	Lacona (V)	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
268	Lacona (V)	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
269	Roxbury (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	D
270	Indian Lake (T)	2 violations	Yes	46	B
271	Naples (V)	2 violations	Yes	7	B+
272	Norwich (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
273	Hancock (V)	2 violations	Yes	0	B
274	Unadilla (V)	2 violations	Yes	3	D+
275	Edmeston (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
276	Northampton (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	B
277	Waverly (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
278	Bloomingburg (V)	2 violations	Yes	2	A-
279	Pine Plains (T)	2 violations	Yes	1	A
280	South Bristol (T)	2 violations	Yes	0	C-
281	Afton (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A
282	Odessa	2 violations	Yes	8	B+
283	Port Leyden (V)	2 violations	Yes	5	B
284	Glocester	2 violations	Yes	23	D+
285	Granville (T)	2 violations	Yes	6	B+
286	Newport (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
287	Unionville (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A
288	Red Creek (V)	2 violations	Yes	2	A-
289	Hammondsport (V)	2 violations	Yes	1	A
290	Alexandria (T)	2 violations	Yes	2	A-
291	Hinsdale (T)	2 violations	Yes	13	B-
292	Smithtown (T)	1 violations	Yes	5	B+
293	Smithtown (T)	1 violations	Yes	6	B+
294	Smithtown (T)	1 violations	Yes	3	C
295	Smithtown (T)	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
296	Ithaca (C)	1 violations	Yes	11	B+
297	Mamaroneck	1 violations	Yes	5	B+
298	Endicott (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
299	Yorktown (T)	1 violations	Yes	13	B
300	Great Neck Estates (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A+
301	Great Neck Estates (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A+
302	Great Neck Estates (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A+
303	Great Neck Estates (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A+
304	Great Neck Estates (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A+
305	Great Neck Estates (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A+
306	Great Neck Estates (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A+
307	Saratoga Sprngs (C)	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
308	Newburgh (C)	1 violations	Yes	17	A-
309	Glen Cove (C)	1 violations	Yes	4	B+
310	Peekskill (C)	1 violations	Yes	15	A-
311	Mineola (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
312	Wappinger (T)	1 violations	Yes	9	D
313	Massena (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
314	Oneonta (T)	1 violations	Yes	1	C
315	Horseheads (V)	1 violations	Yes	6	D+
316	Halfmoon (T)	1 violations	Yes	3	A
317	Glens Falls (C)	1 violations	Yes	17	B+
318	Malone (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A+
319	Corning (C)	1 violations	Yes	2	B-
320	Oneida (C)	1 violations	Yes	3	A
321	Oneida (C)	1 violations	Yes	3	A
322	Mount Kisco (V)	1 violations	Yes	5	A-
323	Hornell (C)	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
324	Ballston (T)	1 violations	Yes	6	B+
325	Ogdensburg (C)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
326	Hornell (C)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
327	Hornell (C)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
328	Waterford (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
329	Chautauqua (T)	1 violations	Yes	41	F
330	Dansville (V)	1 violations	Yes	4	A
331	Johnstown (C)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
332	Geneseo (V)	1 violations	Yes	7	A-
333	Monticello (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	C+
334	Huron (T)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
335	Washingtonville (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
336	Williston Park (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
337	Canton (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A+
338	Walden (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
339	Hudson (C)	1 violations	Yes	5	A
340	Irvington (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
341	Dannemora (V)	1 violations	Yes	6	A-
342	Albion (V)	1 violations	Yes	3	A
343	Penn Yan (V)	1 violations	Yes	8	B-
344	Lake Placid (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A+
345	Cobleskill (V)	1 violations	Yes	7	B
346	Ellenville (V)	1 violations	Yes	15	C+
347	Springville (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
348	Hamilton (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
349	Highland Falls (V)	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
350	New Baltimore (T)	1 violations	Yes	19	A-
351	New Baltimore (T)	1 violations	Yes	19	A-
352	Mount Morris (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
353	Gorham (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
354	Jerusalem (T)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
355	Frankfort (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
356	Lagrange (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	F
357	Cold Spring (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
358	Amenia (T)	1 violations	Yes	4	D+
359	Rushville (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
360	Boonville (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
361	Boonville (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
362	Watkins Glen (V)	1 violations	Yes	7	A
363	Phoenix (V)	1 violations	Yes	4	B+
364	Stockport (T)	1 violations	Yes	2	B
365	Lake Pleasant (T)	1 violations	Yes	1	A
366	Lake Pleasant (T)	1 violations	Yes	1	A
367	Athens (T)	1 violations	Yes	30	A-
368	Caneadea (T)	1 violations	Yes	16	A
369	Mayville (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	B
370	Union Springs (V)	1 violations	Yes	7	A
371	Rose (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
372	New Scotland (T)	1 violations	Yes	1	B-
373	Addison (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
374	Jordan (V)	1 violations	Yes	25	B-
375	Lake George (V)	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
376	Franklinville (V)	1 violations	Yes	4	A-
377	Painted Post (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
378	West Carthage (V)	1 violations	Yes	12	A-
379	Wayland (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
380	Montour Falls (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
381	Stillwater (V)	1 violations	Yes	13	B+
382	Groveland (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
383	Greenville (T)	1 violations	Yes	2	D
384	Ellicottville (T)	1 violations	Yes	3	A
385	Lyndonville (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A
386	Wurtsboro (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
387	Richmondville (T)	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
388	Burdett (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	B
389	Shortsville (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
390	Stamford (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
391	Hunter (V)	1 violations	Yes	5	D
392	Brownville (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
393	Vernon (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
394	Northville (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
395	Castile (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
396	Schaghticoke (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
397	Tuxedo Park (V)	1 violations	Yes	4	A-
398	Otisville (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A
399	Portville (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
400	Ellery (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	B-
401	Fair Haven (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
402	Scio (T)	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
403	Crown Point (T)	1 violations	Yes	1	A
404	St. Armand (T)	1 violations	Yes	1	A
405	Angelica (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
406	Corinth (T)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
407	Waddington (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
408	Schoharie (V)	1 violations	Yes	21	B+
409	Antwerp (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A
410	Croghan (V)	1 violations	Yes	5	A
411	Fort Covington (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	A+
412	Davenport (T)	1 violations	Yes	8	F
413	West Winfield (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	B
414	Lyons Falls (V)	1 violations	Yes	5	A
415	Colden (T)	1 violations	Yes	7	D+
416	Arkport (V)	1 violations	Yes	2	A
417	Cassadaga (V)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
418	Odessa (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
419	Savona (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A+
420	Aurora (V)	1 violations	Yes	10	A-
421	Madrid (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
422	Cazenovia (T)	1 violations	Yes	17	A-
423	Round Lake (V)	1 violations	Yes	17	A
424	Nelson (T)	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
425	Fultonville (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	C
426	Hume (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
427	Chazy	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
428	Sherman (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
429	Leicester (V)	1 violations	Yes	13	B+
430	Clymer (T)	1 violations	Yes	1	A
431	Gerry (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	D+
432	Tannersville (V)	1 violations	Yes	6	B
433	Cato (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A
434	Ocala	1 violations	Yes	4	C+
435	Perrysburg (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
436	Wellsburg (V)	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
437	Shelter Island (T)	1 violations	Yes	10	C-
438	Lisbon (T)	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
439	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 — 439 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.

More contaminants