Westchester County, New York: drinking water report. Westchester County sits just north of New York City, home to about 1 million residents in communities…
Westchester County sits just north of New York City, home to about 1 million residents in communities from Yonkers to White Plains to Bedford. Water sources are mixed – some communities purchase NYC DEP water from the Catskill/Delaware system, while others draw from the Kensico Reservoir, local reservoirs, or groundwater. The county's proximity to the city means some areas benefit from the world-class NYC watershed system while others operate independently with distinct quality profiles.
Communities on the NYC system receive some of the best-treated municipal water in the country. Independent systems face more variable quality. UCMR5 data shows low-level PFAS detections across several Westchester County water providers, with higher readings in systems drawing from local surface water or groundwater rather than the NYC supply.
New York State's PFAS MCLs of 10 ppt for PFOA and PFOS apply uniformly, giving Westchester residents stricter protection than most states provide. According to the Westchester County Department of Health, three independent water systems in the county exceeded state PFAS limits during 2024 and were required to install treatment or blend with cleaner sources.
Knowing your water source is the essential first step in Westchester County. The difference between NYC system water and independent system water can be significant.
Check your water to identify your provider and see contaminant data. If PFAS is a concern, an activated carbon or reverse osmosis filter provides household protection. Our water filter guide covers effective options. Pull your detailed report for local trends, and see our New York page for statewide context.