Water Quality: Ithaca, NY
20 water systems • 81,341 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Ithaca is served by 20 public water systems with a combined service population of 81,341 people, and has 249 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 9 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Ithaca's violation count is 111% above the national average for New York. Contaminants associated with violations include Contaminant 1008, Contaminant 1032, E. coli, Fecal Coliform, Stage 2 DBP.
Contaminants Found
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.
Common source: Human and animal fecal waste
EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)
Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water
EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L
Water Systems Serving Ithaca
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | NY5417686 | Surface Water | 31,581 | 6 |
| ITHACA CITY | NY5404416 | Surface Water | 29,457 | 8 |
| ITHACA TOWN WD | NY5404419 | Surface Water | 13,000 | 0 |
| CAYUGA HEIGHTS VILLAGE | NY5404411 | Surface Water | 3,170 | 0 |
| LANSING (V) | NY5416982 | Surface Water | 3,100 | 0 |
| SANDY CREEK MOBILE HOME PARK | NY5405831 | Groundwater | 215 | 2 |
| RIVERSIDE MANOR TRAILER PARK | NY1112374 | Groundwater | 131 | 9 |
| COUNTRY MEADOWS MHP | NY1100632 | Groundwater | 122 | 111 |
| COUNTRY GARDENS APARTMENTS | NY5405825 | Groundwater | 110 | 7 |
| CREEKWOOD APARTMENTS | NY5410468 | Groundwater | 110 | 2 |
| SKYHOOK APARTMENTS | NY5421483 | Surface Water | 66 | 3 |
| COLLEGEVIEW NORTH MHP | NY5421865 | Groundwater | 58 | 28 |
| WILLOW HILL MOBILE COURT | NY5405815 | Groundwater | 40 | 15 |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW MANOR | NY5405816 | Groundwater | 40 | 22 |
| SUNSET TOWNHOUSES | NY5430001 | Groundwater | 36 | 7 |
| STONEY BROOK APARTMENTS | NY5430002 | Groundwater | 28 | 7 |
| GREEN ACRES MHP | NY5405813 | Groundwater | 26 | 6 |
| MEADOWBROOK APARTMENTS | NY5430073 | Groundwater | 26 | 8 |
| WHITE HAWK ECOVILLAGE COMMUNITY | NY5430089 | Groundwater | 25 | 8 |
| SCLIWC | NY5404423 | Surface Water | 0 | 0 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in New York
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.