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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 12204 Water Quality & Testing Report

Albany, NY · Albany County County · Updated for 2026

Sahajul HaqueCompiled & verified by Sahajul Haque from official EPA SDWIS records
Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 12204 (Albany, NY)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 12204 (Albany, NY) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of F (31/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 16.0 ppb lead. While treated by Albany City, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
F

Water Safety Grade

Failing — Serious compliance issues

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

23

Lead Risk

Very High

Contaminants

0

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 2 unresolved violations. Contact Albany City for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 12204

Tap water in ZIP code 12204 (Albany, NY) is distributed by Albany City (EPA ID: NY0100189), serving approximately 98,000 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of F with a composite quality score of 31/100.

Water System

Albany City

EPA ID: NY0100189

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

98,000 residents

County

Albany County County, New York

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Lead Levels in ZIP 12204

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

Lead Level: 16.0 ppb — EXCEEDS EPA Action Level

The 90th percentile lead level in 12204 is 16.0 ppb, which EXCEEDS the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Immediate action is recommended. Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter or bottled water for drinking and cooking.

Lead exposure risk in 12204 is rated Very High. EPA models estimate a 84% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
16.00 ppb (0.016 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Very High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

84%
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: Soft3.3 GPG · 57 mg/L

Water in ZIP 12204 is classified as Soft (57 mg/L / 3.3 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

3.3 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

57 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Very Low

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Albany City · PWSID: NY0100189

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Albany City has recorded 23 violations, but none are health-based (e.g., administrative or monitoring infractions). 2 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
23
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
2
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
High

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated High 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 12204 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

⚖ 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
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$0
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

3.82%

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 12204

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 12204 served by Albany City 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 12204 Recommendations

  • 🚨 Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • 🚨 Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • 🚨 Contact Albany City to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • 🚨 Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • 🚨 Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

REQUIRED FOR SAFETY
🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Certified to remove lead. Recommended for immediate protection.

Lead Filter Guide →
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
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NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Reverse Osmosis system certified to remove PFAS, heavy metals, and viruses.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 12204 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 12204?+
Tap water in 12204 has a below-average safety grade of F due to compliance issues. We recommend using a certified water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 12204 (Albany, NY)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 12204, 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 12204?+
Tap water in 12204 is classified as Soft with an estimated mineral hardness of 57 mg/L (3.3 GPG). No water softener is needed. Standard carbon filtration is sufficient for taste and chlorine reduction.
Should I test private well water in 12204?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 12204 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 12204 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 12204 is 16.0 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This exceeds the action level — a certified lead-reducing filter is recommended.
Is there an active boil water notice in 12204?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 12204. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 12204?+
Tap water in ZIP code 12204 is provided by Albany City (EPA ID: NY0100189), serving approximately 98,000 residents.
What water filter should I use in 12204?+
Based on water metrics for 12204, 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 12204 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 Albany City. 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 →