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WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 10120 Water Quality & Testing Report

New York, NY · New York County County · Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 10120 (New York, NY)?

Yes, tap water in ZIP code 10120 (New York, NY) is safe to drink under EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. Supplied by New York City System, the area earns an EPA Safety Grade of B (81/100) with 0 health violations, 10.0 ppb lead, and soft (58 mg/L / 3.4 GPG) water.

Safety Score
B

Water Safety Grade

Good — Minor issues on record

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

4

Lead Risk

N/A

Contaminants

0

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 0 unresolved violation. Contact New York City System for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 10120

Tap water in ZIP code 10120 (New York, NY) is distributed by New York City System (EPA ID: NY7003493), serving approximately 8,271,000 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of B with a composite quality score of 81/100.

Water System

New York City System

EPA ID: NY7003493

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

8,271,000 residents

County

New York County County, New York

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Lead Levels in ZIP 10120

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 10.0 ppb — Moderate

The 90th percentile lead level in 10120 is 10.0 ppb. This is below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, but above ideal health goals. Consider a certified lead-reducing filter.
Lead Level (90th percentile)
10.00 ppb (0.01 mg/L)
Lead (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

100 ppb
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Unknown
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Soft3.4 GPG · 58 mg/L

Water in ZIP 10120 is classified as Soft (58 mg/L / 3.4 GPG). Soft water produces abundant soap lather, prevents scale buildup in water heaters, and does not leave spots on dishes.

Recommendation: No water softener is needed. Standard carbon filtration is sufficient for taste and chlorine reduction.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

3.4 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

58 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Very Low

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: New York City System · PWSID: NY7003493

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

New York City System has recorded 4 violations, but none are health-based (e.g., administrative or monitoring infractions).

Total Violations (5 yr)
4
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Moderate

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Moderate based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 10120 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

From Consumer Confidence Report:

Lead (100 ppb*)

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 10 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
CCR Source Classification
Surface Water and Ground Water
EPA Radon Zone

Lower potential

Zone 3

EPA Radon Zone 3 — lower radon potential, though the EPA still recommends testing all homes.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 10120

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 10120 served by New York City System can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by New York State Department of Health.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in NY for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 10120 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from New York City System
  • ✓ If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your own tap for lead
  • ✓ Use a pitcher filter (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) for improved taste

Recommended Taste & Safety Filter:

🚰

NSF/ANSI 53 Certified Pitcher Filter

Best for removing aesthetic chlorine, odors, and low-level heavy metals.

Filter Selection Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 10120 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 10120?+
Yes — tap water in 10120 (New York, NY) meets EPA standards with a water safety grade of B. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 10120 (New York, NY)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 10120, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in NY. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact New York State Department of Health for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 10120?+
Tap water in 10120 is classified as Soft with an estimated mineral hardness of 58 mg/L (3.4 GPG). No water softener is needed. Standard carbon filtration is sufficient for taste and chlorine reduction.
Should I test private well water in 10120?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 10120 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 10120 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 10120 is 10.0 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 10120?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 10120. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 10120?+
Tap water in ZIP code 10120 is provided by New York City System (EPA ID: NY7003493), serving approximately 8,271,000 residents.
What water filter should I use in 10120?+
Based on water metrics for 10120, we recommend Lead & Microplastic Filter. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead Reduction), NSF/ANSI 42 (Particulate/Taste).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 10120 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by New York City System. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →