Strontium Contamination
Strontium in New York Drinking Water
Ranked by max strontium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR
230
Cities Tested
2
Over HRL
1%
% Over HRL
176.5 µg/L
State Avg
▼ 5% vs national
vs National
630
Health Violations
Analysis
Strontium in New York: what the data shows
New York has 230 cities with strontium data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Strontium was detected above the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level in 2 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 176.5 µg/L. Strontium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in areas with limestone and dolomite geology. It can also enter water from industrial waste and mining operations. There is no federal MCL for strontium, but the EPA established a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L. Long-term exposure to strontium above the HRL may affect bone health, particularly in children, by substituting for calcium in developing bones. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water.
Comparison
Cities exceeding 1,500 µg/L EPA HRL (no MCL)
New York
1%
2 of 230 cities
← ▼ 5% below national rate (better)
National avg
6%
250 of 4371 cities
City Map
Strontium data across New York
Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 strontium testing data. Cities where strontium exceeds the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.
Worst Offenders
Top 10 cities by strontium level in New York
All Cities
All New York cities ranked by strontium level
| # | City | Level | Level | Over HRL? | Violations | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clifton Park (T) | 2600.0 µg/L | Over HRL | 4 | D | |
| 2 | Leray (T) | 1700.0 µg/L | Over HRL | 4 | B+ | |
| 3 | Guilderland (T) | 1030.0 µg/L | No | 18 | A- | |
| 4 | Endicott (V) | 599.4 µg/L | No | 0 | A- | |
| 5 | Clarkstown (T) | 570.0 µg/L | No | 11 | B- | |
| 6 | Saratoga Sprngs (C) | 465.0 µg/L | No | 3 | A- | |
| 7 | Bethlehem (T) | 371.0 µg/L | No | 12 | A- | |
| 8 | Fallsburg (T) | 370.0 µg/L | No | 2 | F | |
| 9 | Kiryas Joel (V) | 363.0 µg/L | No | 3 | D+ | |
| 10 | Schenectady (C) | 346.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B+ | |
| 11 | Glenville (T) | 340.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 12 | Oyster Bay (T) | 330.0 µg/L | No | 14 | B- | |
| 13 | Colonie (T) | 330.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A+ | |
| 14 | Cohoes (C) | 327.0 µg/L | No | 5 | B+ | |
| 15 | Chester (V) | 310.0 µg/L | No | 4 | B- | |
| 16 | Hempstead (T) | 306.0 µg/L | No | 9 | F | |
| 17 | Wappinger (T) | 300.0 µg/L | No | 9 | D | |
| 18 | Canajoharie (V) | 300.0 µg/L | No | 3 | A | |
| 19 | Woodbury (T) | 298.0 µg/L | No | 18 | C+ | |
| 20 | Rotterdam (T) | 275.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A | |
| 21 | Wheatland (T) | 260.0 µg/L | No | 2 | B+ | |
| 22 | Wallkill (T) | 260.0 µg/L | No | 23 | F | |
| 23 | Alabama (T) | 260.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A | |
| 24 | Le Roy (T) | 260.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A | |
| 25 | Bethany (T) | 260.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A | |
| 26 | Le Roy (T) | 260.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A- | |
| 27 | Le Roy (T) | 260.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A | |
| 28 | Le Roy (T) | 260.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A | |
| 29 | Le Roy (T) | 260.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A | |
| 30 | Le Roy (T) | 260.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A | |
| 31 | Le Roy (T) | 260.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A | |
| 32 | Le Roy (T) | 260.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A | |
| 33 | Le Roy (T) | 260.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A | |
| 34 | Le Roy (T) | 260.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A | |
| 35 | Monroe (T) | 260.0 µg/L | No | 10 | F | |
| 36 | Cold Spring (V) | 259.7 µg/L | No | 5 | B- | |
| 37 | Geneva (C) | 243.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A | |
| 38 | Fulton (C) | 239.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A | |
| 39 | Syracuse (C) | 230.0 µg/L | No | 29 | C+ | |
| 40 | Johnson City (V) | 228.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A- | |
| 41 | Oswego (C) | 220.0 µg/L | No | 4 | A | |
| 42 | Evans (T) | 212.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 43 | Kenmore (V) | 212.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 44 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 3 | B | |
| 45 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | C+ | |
| 46 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 3 | B | |
| 47 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 48 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 4 | B+ | |
| 49 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 3 | B | |
| 50 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 4 | B+ | |
| 51 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 5 | C+ | |
| 52 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 2 | B | |
| 53 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 54 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 55 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 56 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 57 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 58 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 59 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 60 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 61 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 62 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 63 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 64 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 65 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 66 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 67 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 68 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 69 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 70 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 71 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 72 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 73 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 74 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 75 | Wheatland (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 76 | Malta (T) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 3 | D | |
| 77 | Mount Kisco (V) | 210.0 µg/L | No | 5 | A- | |
| 78 | Ontario (T) | 202.0 µg/L | No | 4 | A+ | |
| 79 | De Witt (T) | 200.0 µg/L | No | 6 | A- | |
| 80 | Vestal (T) | 200.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A- | |
| 81 | Massena (V) | 200.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A- | |
| 82 | Clay (T) | 200.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A+ | |
| 83 | Binghamton (C) | 194.0 µg/L | No | 5 | A- | |
| 84 | Heuvelton (V) | 194.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 85 | Brockport (V) | 193.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A- | |
| 86 | Beacon (C) | 192.0 µg/L | No | 4 | A- | |
| 87 | Dunkirk (C) | 192.0 µg/L | No | 1 | C | |
| 88 | Evans (T) | 190.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A- | |
| 89 | Evans (T) | 190.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 90 | Evans (T) | 190.0 µg/L | No | 8 | B- | |
| 91 | Evans (T) | 190.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 92 | Evans (T) | 190.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 93 | Evans (T) | 190.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 94 | Evans (T) | 190.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 95 | Evans (T) | 190.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 96 | Evans (T) | 190.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 97 | Evans (T) | 190.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 98 | Ogdensburg (C) | 190.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A- | |
| 99 | Brownville (T) | 190.0 µg/L | No | 3 | A- | |
| 100 | North Tonawanda (C) | 183.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A+ | |
| 101 | Poughkeepsie (C) | 182.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A | |
| 102 | Lockport (T) | 182.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A+ | |
| 103 | Lewiston (V) | 180.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A- | |
| 104 | Corning (C) | 180.0 µg/L | No | 2 | B- | |
| 105 | Lyndonville (V) | 180.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A | |
| 106 | Wheatfield (T) | 177.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A+ | |
| 107 | Niagara Falls (C) | 176.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A+ | |
| 108 | Newburgh (C) | 175.0 µg/L | No | 17 | A- | |
| 109 | Elma (T) | 173.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A+ | |
| 110 | Grand Island (T) | 172.0 µg/L | No | 2 | C+ | |
| 111 | New Hyde Park (V) | 170.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A | |
| 112 | Angola (V) | 170.0 µg/L | No | 4 | B+ | |
| 113 | Smithtown (T) | 169.0 µg/L | No | 11 | D | |
| 114 | Smithtown (T) | 169.0 µg/L | No | 5 | C+ | |
| 115 | Smithtown (T) | 169.0 µg/L | No | 5 | B+ | |
| 116 | Smithtown (T) | 169.0 µg/L | No | 5 | B | |
| 117 | Smithtown (T) | 169.0 µg/L | No | 6 | B+ | |
| 118 | Smithtown (T) | 169.0 µg/L | No | 7 | B- | |
| 119 | Smithtown (T) | 169.0 µg/L | No | 3 | C | |
| 120 | Smithtown (T) | 169.0 µg/L | No | 11 | B- | |
| 121 | Smithtown (T) | 169.0 µg/L | No | 3 | A- | |
| 122 | Lockport (C) | 169.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 123 | Horseheads (V) | 164.0 µg/L | No | 6 | D+ | |
| 124 | Patterson (T) | 159.2 µg/L | No | 12 | C- | |
| 125 | Greenwood Lake (V) | 159.0 µg/L | No | 9 | A- | |
| 126 | New Windsor (T) | 153.0 µg/L | No | 14 | D+ | |
| 127 | Poughkeepsie (T) | 151.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A- | |
| 128 | Nyack (V) | 150.0 µg/L | No | 3 | B | |
| 129 | Nyack (V) | 150.0 µg/L | No | 3 | B | |
| 130 | Farmington (T) | 150.0 µg/L | No | 7 | A | |
| 131 | Glen Cove (C) | 149.0 µg/L | No | 4 | B+ | |
| 132 | Ramapo (T) | 149.0 µg/L | No | 19 | C+ | |
| 133 | Jamestown (C) | 148.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A | |
| 134 | Olean (C) | 140.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B | |
| 135 | Worcester (T) | 140.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A- | |
| 136 | Hempstead (T) | 135.0 µg/L | No | 14 | D | |
| 137 | Cortland (C) | 130.0 µg/L | No | 5 | A | |
| 138 | Great Neck Estates (V) | 127.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A+ | |
| 139 | Great Neck Estates (V) | 127.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A+ | |
| 140 | Great Neck Estates (V) | 127.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A+ | |
| 141 | Great Neck Estates (V) | 127.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A+ | |
| 142 | Great Neck Estates (V) | 127.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A+ | |
| 143 | Great Neck Estates (V) | 127.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A+ | |
| 144 | Great Neck Estates (V) | 127.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A+ | |
| 145 | Sea Cliff (V) | 123.1 µg/L | No | 0 | A+ | |
| 146 | Canandaigua (C) | 121.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A- | |
| 147 | Port Chester (V) | 120.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 148 | Port Chester (V) | 120.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 149 | Port Chester (V) | 120.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 150 | Newburgh (T) | 113.0 µg/L | No | 50 | F | |
| 151 | Ithaca (C) | 109.0 µg/L | No | 11 | B+ | |
| 152 | Plattsburgh (C) | 108.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A- | |
| 153 | Glens Falls (C) | 106.0 µg/L | No | 17 | B+ | |
| 154 | Watertown (C) | 102.4 µg/L | No | 19 | B | |
| 155 | East Fishkill (T) | 102.0 µg/L | No | 21 | F | |
| 156 | Oyster Bay (T) | 101.6 µg/L | No | 2 | A | |
| 157 | Elmira Heights (V) | 99.8 µg/L | No | 5 | B+ | |
| 158 | Elmira Heights (V) | 99.8 µg/L | No | 5 | B+ | |
| 159 | Elmira Heights (V) | 99.8 µg/L | No | 5 | B+ | |
| 160 | Elmira Heights (V) | 99.8 µg/L | No | 5 | B+ | |
| 161 | New York (C) | 97.0 µg/L | No | 11 | A- | |
| 162 | Roslyn (V) | 96.8 µg/L | No | 1 | A | |
| 163 | Peekskill (C) | 96.0 µg/L | No | 15 | A- | |
| 164 | Yorktown (T) | 94.0 µg/L | No | 13 | B | |
| 165 | Ossining (T) | 92.2 µg/L | No | 6 | C | |
| 166 | Halfmoon (T) | 89.8 µg/L | No | 3 | A | |
| 167 | Troy (C) | 89.6 µg/L | No | 4 | B- | |
| 168 | Rensselaer (C) | 88.6 µg/L | No | 6 | B+ | |
| 169 | Westbury (V) | 87.1 µg/L | No | 2 | A- | |
| 170 | Auburn (C) | 86.6 µg/L | No | 0 | A+ | |
| 171 | Fredonia (V) | 86.0 µg/L | No | 0 | D | |
| 172 | Mineola (V) | 84.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A- | |
| 173 | Malone (V) | 82.4 µg/L | No | 2 | A+ | |
| 174 | Wellsville (V) | 81.2 µg/L | No | 0 | C+ | |
| 175 | Batavia (C) | 79.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A+ | |
| 176 | Middletown (C) | 77.0 µg/L | No | 3 | A | |
| 177 | Attica (T) | 76.7 µg/L | No | 8 | C+ | |
| 178 | Hempstead (T) | 73.4 µg/L | No | 3 | B | |
| 179 | Garden City (V) | 66.0 µg/L | No | 5 | A- | |
| 180 | Hempstead (T) | 58.0 µg/L | No | 5 | A- | |
| 181 | Albany (C) | 56.5 µg/L | No | 0 | A- | |
| 182 | Oneonta (T) | 53.6 µg/L | No | 1 | C | |
| 183 | Oneonta (T) | 53.6 µg/L | No | 0 | A- | |
| 184 | Highland Falls (V) | 47.5 µg/L | No | 3 | A- | |
| 185 | Gloversville (C) | 46.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A- | |
| 186 | Oneida (C) | 39.2 µg/L | No | 3 | A | |
| 187 | Oneida (C) | 39.2 µg/L | No | 3 | A | |
| 188 | Warwick (T) | 37.2 µg/L | No | 58 | D+ | |
| 189 | Warwick (T) | 37.2 µg/L | No | 12 | B+ | |
| 190 | Hempstead (V) | 35.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A- | |
| 191 | Mount Pleasant (T) | 32.0 µg/L | No | 36 | C | |
| 192 | White Plains (C) | 30.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A- | |
| 193 | Long Beach (C) | 29.4 µg/L | No | 3 | A | |
| 194 | Moreau (T) | 29.0 µg/L | No | 4 | A- | |
| 195 | Queensbury (T) | 28.0 µg/L | No | 2 | F | |
| 196 | Tarrytown (V) | 27.4 µg/L | No | 3 | B+ | |
| 197 | Mamaroneck | 26.2 µg/L | No | 5 | B+ | |
| 198 | Tuckahoe (V) | 26.0 µg/L | No | 4 | B- | |
| 199 | Tuckahoe (V) | 26.0 µg/L | No | 4 | B- | |
| 200 | Tuckahoe (V) | 26.0 µg/L | No | 4 | B- | |
| 201 | Tuckahoe (V) | 26.0 µg/L | No | 4 | B- | |
| 202 | Tuckahoe (V) | 26.0 µg/L | No | 4 | B- | |
| 203 | Tuckahoe (V) | 26.0 µg/L | No | 4 | B- | |
| 204 | Tuckahoe (V) | 26.0 µg/L | No | 4 | B- | |
| 205 | Tuckahoe (V) | 26.0 µg/L | No | 4 | B- | |
| 206 | Tuckahoe (V) | 26.0 µg/L | No | 4 | B- | |
| 207 | Scarsdale | 25.9 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 208 | New Hartford (V) | 24.0 µg/L | No | 27 | B- | |
| 209 | New Hartford (V) | 24.0 µg/L | No | 25 | B- | |
| 210 | New Hartford (V) | 24.0 µg/L | No | 25 | B+ | |
| 211 | New Hartford (V) | 24.0 µg/L | No | 25 | B+ | |
| 212 | New Hartford (V) | 24.0 µg/L | No | 25 | B+ | |
| 213 | New Hartford (V) | 24.0 µg/L | No | 25 | B+ | |
| 214 | New Hartford (V) | 24.0 µg/L | No | 25 | B+ | |
| 215 | New Hartford (V) | 24.0 µg/L | No | 25 | B+ | |
| 216 | New Hartford (V) | 24.0 µg/L | No | 25 | B+ | |
| 217 | New Hartford (V) | 24.0 µg/L | No | 25 | B+ | |
| 218 | New Hartford (V) | 24.0 µg/L | No | 25 | B+ | |
| 219 | Mount Vernon (C) | 24.0 µg/L | No | 2 | A- | |
| 220 | Cortlandt (T) | 23.7 µg/L | No | 11 | B+ | |
| 221 | Greenburgh (T) | 23.0 µg/L | No | 40 | B | |
| 222 | Rome (C) | 22.8 µg/L | No | 20 | B+ | |
| 223 | New Castle (T) | 22.4 µg/L | No | 3 | B | |
| 224 | Yonkers (C) | 22.0 µg/L | No | 2 | B+ | |
| 225 | Oyster Bay (T) | 21.8 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 226 | Elmsford (V) | 21.8 µg/L | No | 0 | A- | |
| 227 | Kingston (C) | 17.0 µg/L | No | 8 | A- | |
| 228 | Amsterdam (C) | 15.1 µg/L | No | 33 | B- | |
| 229 | Rockville Center (V) | 13.0 µg/L | No | 5 | A | |
| 230 | Freeport (V) | 4.8 µg/L | No | 2 | A+ |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about strontium in New York
Is strontium in New York tap water harmful?
Strontium at low levels is not considered harmful, but the EPA set a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L based on potential bone effects. 2 cities in New York exceed this HRL. There is currently no federal MCL for strontium. Children may be more susceptible because strontium can substitute for calcium in developing bones.
How can I remove strontium from my drinking water?
Reverse osmosis and ion exchange (water softener) systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water. Standard carbon filters are NOT effective. If your water comes from a well in an area with limestone or dolomite geology, consider testing for strontium.
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All states
Strontium in drinking water by state
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaQCRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming