Water Quality: Watertown, NY
16 water systems • 42,494 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Watertown is served by 16 public water systems with a combined service population of 42,494 people, and has 263 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 148 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Watertown's violation count is 123% above the national average for New York. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine, Contaminant 2805, Fecal Coliform, TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants Found
Eye and nose irritation at high levels; long-term exposure above the MCL may cause liver and kidney damage.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant added to kill harmful microorganisms
EPA limit: 4.0 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level)
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)
Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water
EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Watertown
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WATERTOWN CITY | NY2202346 | Surface Water | 27,861 | 21 |
| LERAY TOWN WD 1, 2, 4 | NY2221206 | Groundwater | 7,140 | 0 |
| SACKETS HARBOR VILLAGE | NY2202343 | Surface Water | 2,200 | 0 |
| PAMELIA TOWN WD 4 & 5 | NY2230066 | Surface Water | 1,000 | 46 |
| WATERTOWN TOWN WD 3 & 4 & 5 | NY2202352 | Surface Water | 750 | 12 |
| HOUNSFIELD WD 2 | NY2230094 | Surface Water | 725 | 32 |
| HARRISVILLE (DIANA WD 1) | NY2402364 | Groundwater | 700 | 1 |
| WATERTOWN TOWN WD 1 & 2 | NY2202348 | Surface Water | 600 | 5 |
| HOUNSFIELD WD 1, 5 | NY2221870 | Surface Water | 480 | 24 |
| LERAY TOWN WD 3 | NY2230105 | Groundwater | 480 | 0 |
| HOUNSFIELD WD 3 (WESCOTT BEACH) | NY2230115 | Surface Water | 270 | 3 |
| PAMELIA TOWN WD #2 | NY2230075 | Surface Water | 150 | 15 |
| EVERGREEN HILLS MHP | NY3218204 | Groundwater | 78 | 60 |
| WADDINGTON ESTATES MHP (GU) | NY3201466 | Surface Water | 60 | 34 |
| DANC (WATERTOWN / FT. DRUM) | NY2230013 | Surface Water | 0 | 3 |
| DANC WESTERN REGIONAL | NY2230023 | Surface Water | 0 | 7 |
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.