Kings County, New York: drinking water report. Kings County – Brooklyn – is home to about 2.7 million people, making it the most populous borough in New
Kings County – Brooklyn – is home to about 2.7 million people, making it the most populous borough in New York City. Like the rest of the city, Brooklyn receives its drinking water from the Catskill/Delaware and Croton watershed systems managed by the NYC DEP. The source water is excellent by national standards, but Brooklyn's dense housing stock includes many buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries with aging internal plumbing.
New York State's PFAS MCLs of 10 ppt for PFOA and PFOS provide stricter protection than federal standards, and NYC's watershed-based supply generally tests below these limits. The EPA's UCMR5 data confirms low-level detections but no exceedances of state thresholds for the city's system.
The infrastructure concern in Brooklyn is lead. Buildings constructed before 1961 may have lead solder in copper pipes, and older structures may have lead service connections. The NYC DEP's 2024 water quality report noted that 90th percentile lead levels across the city met federal standards, but individual older buildings can still produce elevated readings, particularly after water sits in pipes overnight.
Brooklyn's pre-war housing stock is both its charm and its water quality risk. If your building was constructed before 1961, lead exposure from internal plumbing is worth investigating.
Run your tap for 30-60 seconds before using water for cooking or drinking if it has been sitting for hours. Check your water to see monitoring data for your area. A certified lead-reduction filter is cheap insurance. Our water filter guide covers effective options. Pull your detailed report for local trends, and visit our New York page for statewide context.