New York County, New York: drinking water report. New York County – Manhattan – packs about 1.6 million residents into 23 square miles, served by the same…
New York County – Manhattan – packs about 1.6 million residents into 23 square miles, served by the same NYC DEP watershed system that supplies all five boroughs. Manhattan's water arrives from upstate reservoirs through some of the oldest infrastructure in the system, including distribution mains dating to the late 1800s. The island's extreme building density means most residents get water through complex internal plumbing systems that the city does not control or inspect.
Manhattan benefits from one of the cleanest municipal source water supplies in the country – the Catskill/Delaware system is one of only a handful of major unfiltered surface water sources in the US. State-level PFAS monitoring shows readings below New York's 10 ppt MCLs for PFOA and PFOS.
But Manhattan's building infrastructure adds risk. High-rises often use rooftop storage tanks, which are required to be inspected annually but compliance varies. A 2023 investigation by the NYC Department of Health found that approximately 15% of inspected rooftop tanks had maintenance deficiencies that could affect water quality. Lead from old building plumbing is another concern in a borough where much of the housing stock predates modern plumbing codes.
If you live in a building with a rooftop water tank, the quality of your water depends as much on building maintenance as city treatment. Ask your management company for the most recent tank inspection report.
Check your water for monitoring data specific to your area. A point-of-use filter certified for lead and microbial reduction is smart in older buildings. Our water filter guide covers which types fit Manhattan apartment life. Pull your detailed report, and visit our New York page for statewide data.