New York City is well known for its tap water, which is potable, safe to drink, and lays claims on being among the best in the world. I have been drinking tap water in NYC since I moved here in 1999, and always order it even when I am out at restaurants as the New York’s finest option. However, visitors always want to confirm, can you drink NYC tap water? And the resounding answer is yes, NYC tap water is safe to drink as it meets all federal and state standards, and is the preferred choice of New Yorkers.
New York City’s tap water is considered some of the safest and highest quality in the country, with a taste that rivals even bottled water. As a matter of fact, the city’s drinking water is regularly tested and monitored to ensure that it meets or exceeds federal and state standards to maintain its best in class status. The water is not only tested at the source, but also at street level testing stations that can be seen all over NYC to ensure its quality.
Can you drink the Tap Water in NYC?
Yes, you can drink the tap water in NYC. New York City’s tap water is considered potable and safe to drink. The general rule of thumb is that tap water is safe to drink in New York City, and a good option to order at restaurants as well. It is what I drink at home, in restaurants, and roadside water fountains in Central Park and where available.
While bottled water is marketed as a convenient and healthy option, NYC tap water is a safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly alternative. By choosing tap water over bottled water, New Yorkers save money, reduce their environmental impact, and enjoy some of the cleanest drinking water in the world.
New York City has an upstate reservoir system that supplies its drinking water, which is virtually lead free. However, the water quality can be impacted by the plumbing of some older homes or buildings. To manage this, the general rule of thumb is to run tap water for 30 seconds before using it, and to use cold water for drinking and cooking.
NYC’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) tests the water each day, 365 days a year, to ensure that it is safe, clean, and healthy for consumption. The DEP collects samples from reservoirs, aqueducts, treatment facilities, and over 1,000 street-side sampling stations throughout the five boroughs to ensure that the tap water is safe to drink with over 600,000 tests a year. You can actually see these sampling stations all over on the streets of NYC.
The DEP actually provides a map with information about water service lines based on plumbing records filed with the City, so residents and property owners can check the type of pipes in their building.
In summary, New York City’s tap water is generally safe to drink, but residents should be aware of the potential for lead contamination in individual home tap water, specifically in buildings constructed before 1961, or in cases where internal plumbing has been joined by lead solder dating back to before 1987.
NYC’s Water Sources
New York City’s tap water comes from a combination of upstate reservoirs, the Catskill and Delaware Watersheds, and the Croton watershed. These watersheds are located in the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson Valley regions of New York State.
The water supply system for New York City spans a vast 2,000-square-mile watershed, encompassing 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. The watershed itself is situated in regions of the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains, extending as far as 125 miles north of the city. The water supply system is comprised of three distinct water supplies: the Catskill/Delaware Water Supply System, located in Delaware, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster counties; the Croton Water Supply System, located in Putnam, Westchester, and Dutchess counties; and the Groundwater Supply System in southeastern Queens.
This water is transported to NYC through a network of aqueducts and tunnels. Before the water reaches the taps of New Yorkers, it undergoes a rigorous treatment and filtration process to ensure that the water is safe to drink and meets the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There is regular testing and monitoring of the water supply to ensure that it is safe to drink.
Taste and Hardness of NYC Tap Water
New York City’s tap water is famous for its great taste and is often referred to as the “champagne of tap waters.” This is due to the fact that New York City’s tap water comes from the upstate Catskill and Delaware watersheds, which provide more than 90% of the city’s water supply. The water is collected from reservoirs, aqueducts, treatment facilities, and street-side sampling stations throughout the five boroughs to ensure that the tap water is safe, clean, and healthy.
In terms of minerals, New York City’s tap water is considered to be soft to moderately hard. The average hardness rate is 1.8 grains per gallon, with hardness rates reaching up to 7 grains per gallon in the Catskill-Delaware region where water supplies are blended. This means that the water is not too hard, which is good news for those who do not like the taste of hard water.
The hardness of water is mainly due to the presence of calcium and magnesium ions. In general, hard water contains high levels of these minerals, which can cause scale buildup in pipes and appliances. However, New York City’s tap water is considered to be relatively low in calcium and magnesium, which means that it is less likely to cause scale buildup.
Overall, New York City’s tap water is safe to drink and has a great taste. The water is not too hard, which is good news for those who do not like the taste of hard water. While it does contain some minerals, including calcium and magnesium, the levels are relatively low, which means that it is less likely to cause scale buildup.
Choosing between Bottled or Tap Water in New York City
While New Yorkers often buy bottled water for its convenience, bottled water is not really necessary in a city with some of the cleanest drinking water in the United States.
New York City’s tap water is considered to be among the world’s best, and is tested by the City hundreds of times each day, 365 days a year to ensure it is safe, clean, and healthy. According to the City agencies, NYC’s tap water is virtually lead-free and meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards. NYC tap water is also a cost effective option for regular consumption.
While bottled water is often marketed as a healthier and safer alternative to tap water, NYC tap water is a great alternative with a lower environmental impact as it does not require the plastic bottles used for bottled water in the United States, most of which end up in landfills where they can take hundreds of years to decompose. Bottled water is also significantly more expensive than NYC tap water.
While bottled water may seem like a convenient and healthy option, NYC tap water is a safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly alternative.
Is New York Water Potable?
Yes, New York City water is potable, and safe to drink. New York City’s tap water is among the safest and highest quality in the country, and is tested regularly to maintain its quality so it is safe for drinking.
Closing Thoughts
Is NYC tap water safe to drink? The answer is a resounding yes! Tap water in NYC is potable, safe to drink, and the preferred choice of New Yorkers at home and even when they go out. The City agencies responsible for managing New York City’s water supply test the water at the source and even at the street level every single day, and it is closely managed and monitored to ensure it is safe for consumption. For buildings with older plumbing, NYC provides guidelines and resources for testing to ensure tap water is safe for consumption.
