What was found in Syracuse's water
The highest level seen across the city's suppliers, the EPA limit for each, and where the figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 3000 µg/L 30% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 2800 µg/L 28% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Nitrite | 2600 µg/L 260% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 1000 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 890 µg/L 22% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Chlorite | 340 µg/L 34% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 284 µg/L 14% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 93 µg/L 116% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 80 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 64 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 63 µg/L 105% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 60 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 42 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 28 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 21 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 14.5 µg/L 1.1% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 11.3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 11 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Cyanide | 6.1 µg/L 3.1% of the EPA limit 200 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 3.6 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 3.6 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 3.1 µg/L 3.1% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Gross Beta Particle Activity | 1.89 pCi/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate | 1.7 µg/L 28% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 1.7 µg/L 11% of the EPA limit 15 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Toluene | 1.6 µg/L 0.2% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 1.42 pCi/L 28% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 1.08 pCi/L 7.2% of the EPA limit 15 pCi/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 0.4290 µg/L 1.4% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0120 mg/L 80% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L | 3/3 | LCR |
| Pfba | 0.0056 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
Water suppliers serving Syracuse
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| OCWA | 350,000 |
| SYRACUSE CITY | 192,000 |
| OCWA SKYRIDGE COMMUNITY WD | 50 |
Frequently asked questions about Syracuse tap water
Is Syracuse tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 29 contaminants in the water serving Syracuse. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Syracuse?
3 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Syracuse, New York to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Syracuse's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Syracuse include Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrite, Nitrite, Fluoride, Chlorite. The full list, with the highest level found and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.