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

ZIP Code 14638 Water Quality & Testing Report

Rochester, NY · Monroe 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 14638 (Rochester, NY)?

Yes, tap water in ZIP code 14638 (Rochester, NY) is safe to drink under EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. Supplied by Mcwa, the area earns an EPA Safety Grade of B (73/100) with 2 health violations, 4.7 ppb lead, and moderately hard (61 mg/L / 3.6 GPG) water.

Safety Score
B

Water Safety Grade

Good — Minor issues on record

Health Violations

2

Total Violations

67

Lead Risk

N/A

Contaminants

1

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 23 unresolved violations. Contact Mcwa for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 14638

Tap water in ZIP code 14638 (Rochester, NY) is distributed by Mcwa (EPA ID: NY2701047), serving approximately 496,753 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 73/100.

Water System

Mcwa

EPA ID: NY2701047

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

496,753 residents

County

Monroe County County, New York

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Lead Levels in ZIP 14638

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

Lead Level: 4.7 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 14638 is 4.7 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.
Lead Level (90th percentile)
4.70 ppb (0.0047 mg/L)
Copper Level (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L

13 mg/L
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: Moderately Hard3.6 GPG · 61 mg/L

Water in ZIP 14638 is Moderately Hard (61 mg/L / 3.6 GPG). It contains beneficial natural minerals like calcium and magnesium without causing heavy scale accumulation.

Recommendation: A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

3.6 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

61 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Low / Moderate

Interactive Water Safety & Filter Matcher

Personalized for ZIP 14638 (Rochester, NY)

Free Tool

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Mcwa · PWSID: NY2701047

Verify on EPA.gov
📋

Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Mcwa has recorded 2 health-based violations out of 67 total violations over the past 5 years. 23 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
67
Health-Based Violations
2
Unresolved Violations
23
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

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

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 1 contaminant with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Stage 1 DBP Rule.

Stage 1 DBP Rule

From Consumer Confidence Report:

Barium (22 ppm*); Turbidity (5 NTU*); Gross Alpha (150 pCi/L*); Combined Radium (50 pCi/L*)

⚖ 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

Moderate potential

Zone 2

EPA Radon Zone 2 — moderate radon potential. The EPA recommends testing your home regardless of zone designation.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 14638

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 14638 served by Mcwa 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 14638 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from Mcwa
  • ✓ 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 14638 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 14638?+
Yes — tap water in 14638 (Rochester, 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 14638 (Rochester, NY)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 14638, 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 14638?+
Tap water in 14638 is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 61 mg/L (3.6 GPG). A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Should I test private well water in 14638?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 14638 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 14638 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 14638 is 4.7 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 14638?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 14638. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 14638?+
Tap water in ZIP code 14638 is provided by Mcwa (EPA ID: NY2701047), serving approximately 496,753 residents.
What water filter should I use in 14638?+
Based on water metrics for 14638, we recommend Reverse Osmosis (PFAS & Lead). Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Chemical Contaminants), NSF/ANSI 42 (Aesthetic Effects).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 14638 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 Mcwa. 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 →