Plattsburgh City
EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the New York Department of Health - Bureau of Public Water Supply Protection, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2021 - March 2021), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.
Utility Details
- Plattsburgh, New York
- Serves: 24,908
- Data available: 2013-2019*
- Source: Surface water
* 2013 testing is for chemicals in EPA's Third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR-3) only.
Contaminants Detected
9
EXCEED
EWG HEALTH
GUIDELINES
17 Total Contaminants
- Legal does not necessarily equal safe. Getting a passing grade from the federal government does not mean the water meets the latest health guidelines.
- Legal limits for contaminants in tap water have not been updated in almost 20 years.
- The best way to ensure clean tap water is to keep pollution out of source water in the first place.
PFAS Detected (UCMR-5 Update)
The Environmental Protection Agency in May 2024 released a set of public water system testing data for the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, as required by its Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, or UCMR5. The EPA released the following results.
Contaminants Detected Table*
PFAS NAME | DETECTS/SAMPLES | % DETECTED | RANGE OF SAMPLE(S) |
DATE(S) OF SAMPLES |
PROPOSED LEGAL LIMIT |
PFHpA | 1 / 3 | 33% | 0.0 - 3.1 ppt | 08/09/2023 - 02/08/2024 |
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See the guideContaminants Detected
Bromodichloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer30x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEBromodichloromethane
more aboutthis contaminant
Bromodichloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromodichloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Bromodichloromethane was found at 30 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for bromodichloromethane was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources
![water treatment icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/pollution-source-treatment-byproducts.png)
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
![carbon filter icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/Carbon-Icon.png)
Activated Carbon
![reverse osmosis icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/Osmosis-Icon.png)
Reverse Osmosis
Chloroform
Potential Effect: cancer72x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEChloroform
more aboutthis contaminant
Chloroform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Chloroform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy.
Chloroform was found at 72 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.4 ppb for chloroform was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources
![water treatment icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/pollution-source-treatment-byproducts.png)
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
![carbon filter icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/Carbon-Icon.png)
Activated Carbon
![reverse osmosis icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/Osmosis-Icon.png)
Reverse Osmosis
Chromium (hexavalent)
Potential Effect: cancer3.8x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEChromium (hexavalent)
more aboutthis contaminant
Chromium (hexavalent) is a carcinogen that commonly contaminates American drinking water. Chromium (hexavalent) in drinking water may be due to industrial pollution or natural occurrences in mineral deposits and groundwater. Read more about chromium (hexavalent).
Chromium (hexavalent) was found at 3.8 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.02 ppb for chromium (hexavalent) was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources
![industry icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/pollution-source-industry.png)
Industry
![naturally occuring icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/pollution-source-naturally-occuring.png)
Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options
![reverse osmosis icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/Osmosis-Icon.png)
Reverse Osmosis
![ion exchange icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/IonExchange_Icon.png)
Ion Exchange
Dichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: cancer27x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEDichloroacetic acid
more aboutthis contaminant
Dichloroacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Dichloroacetic acid was found at 27 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.2 ppb for dichloroacetic acid was proposed in 2020 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk.a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources
![water treatment icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/pollution-source-treatment-byproducts.png)
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
![carbon filter icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/Carbon-Icon.png)
Activated Carbon
![reverse osmosis icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/Osmosis-Icon.png)
Reverse Osmosis
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)†
Potential Effect: cancer275x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEHaloacetic acids (HAA5)
more aboutthis contaminant
Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) was found at 275 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for the group of five haloacetic acids, or HAA5, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources
![water treatment icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/pollution-source-treatment-byproducts.png)
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
![carbon filter icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/Carbon-Icon.png)
Activated Carbon
![reverse osmosis icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/Osmosis-Icon.png)
Reverse Osmosis
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)†
Potential Effect: cancer802x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEHaloacetic acids (HAA9)
more aboutthis contaminant
Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of nine haloacetic acids includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid, which are regulated as a group by the federal government (HAA5); and bromochloroacetic acid, bromodichloroacetic acid, chlorodibromoacetic acid, and tribromoacetic acid.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) was found at 802 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for the group of nine haloacetic acids, or HAA9, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level as . This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources
![water treatment icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/pollution-source-treatment-byproducts.png)
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
![carbon filter icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/Carbon-Icon.png)
Activated Carbon
![reverse osmosis icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/Osmosis-Icon.png)
Reverse Osmosis
Radium, combined (-226 & -228)
Potential Effect: cancer10x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINERadium, combined (-226 & -228)
more aboutthis contaminant
Radium is a radioactive element that causes bone cancer and other cancers. It can occur naturally in groundwater, and oil and gas extraction activities such as hydraulic fracturing can elevate concentrations.
Radium, combined (-226 & -228) was found at 10 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
pCi/L = picocuries per liter
Health Risks
EWG applied the health guideline of 0.05 pCi/L, defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal for radium-226, to radium-226 and radium-228 combined. This health guideline protects against cancer.Pollution Sources
![industry icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/pollution-source-industry.png)
Industry
![naturally occuring icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/pollution-source-naturally-occuring.png)
Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options
![reverse osmosis icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/Osmosis-Icon.png)
Reverse Osmosis
![ion exchange icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/IonExchange_Icon.png)
Ion Exchange
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)†
Potential Effect: cancer264x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINETotal trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
more aboutthis contaminant
Trihalomethanes are cancer-causing contaminants that form during water treatment with chlorine and other disinfectants. The total trihalomethanes group includes four chemicals: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) was found at 264 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The health guideline of 0.15 parts per billion, or ppb, for the group of four trihalomethanes, or THM4/TTHM, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-one-million lifetime cancer risk level.Pollution Sources
![water treatment icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/pollution-source-treatment-byproducts.png)
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
![carbon filter icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/Carbon-Icon.png)
Activated Carbon
![reverse osmosis icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/Osmosis-Icon.png)
Reverse Osmosis
Trichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: cancer114x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINETrichloroacetic acid
more aboutthis contaminant
Trichloroacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Trichloroacetic acid was found at 114 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for trichloroacetic acid was proposed in 2020 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk.a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources
![water treatment icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/pollution-source-treatment-byproducts.png)
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
![carbon filter icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/Carbon-Icon.png)
Activated Carbon
![reverse osmosis icon](https://static.ewg.org/reports/2017/tap-water/img/Osmosis-Icon.png)
Reverse Osmosis
Includes chemicals detected in 2017-2019 for which annual utility averages exceeded an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; chemicals detected under the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 3) program in 2013 to 2015 (and subsequent testing when available), for which annual utility averages exceeded a health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; chemicals detected under the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 4) program in 2017 to 2020 (and subsequent testing when available), for which annual utility averages exceeded a health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; radiological contaminants detected between 2014 and 2019.
† HAA5 is a contaminant group that includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid. HAA9 is a contaminant group that includes the chemicals in HAA5 and bromochloroacetic acid, bromodichloroacetic acid, chlorodibromoacetic acid and tribromoacetic acid. TTHM is a contaminant group that includes bromodichloromethane, bromoform, chloroform and dibromochloromethane.
Other Contaminants Tested
✕Plattsburgh City compliance with legally mandated federal standards:
- From April 2019 to March 2021, Plattsburgh City complied with health-based drinking water standards.
Information in this section on Plattsburgh City comes from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online database (ECHO).
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS UTILITYWater Filters That Can Reduce Contaminant Levels
Contaminant | Activated Carbon | Reverse Osmosis | Ion Exchange |
CONTAMINANTS ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES | |||
Bromodichloromethane | ✔ | ✔ | |
Chloroform | ✔ | ✔ | |
Chromium (hexavalent) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Dichloroacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Radium, combined (-226 & -228) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Trichloroacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
OTHER CONTAMINANTS DETECTED | |||
Barium | ✔ | ✔ | |
Chlorate | |||
Chromium (total) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Fluoride | ✔ | ||
Hexazinone | |||
Manganese | ✔ | ||
Nitrate | ✔ | ✔ | |
Strontium | ✔ | ✔ |
Take Action
Contact Your Local Official
One of the best ways to push for cleaner water is to hold accountable the elected officials who have a say in water quality – from city hall and the state legislature to Congress all the way to the Oval Office – by asking questions and demanding answers.
LEARN MOREFilter Out Contaminants
Check out our recommendations for filters to protect your water against the detected contaminants.
EWG’S WATER FILTER GUIDE