Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Rochester?
Yes, tap water in Rochester is safe to drink and is among upstate New York's best. The city owns Hemlock and Canadice Lakes — two Finger Lakes with fully protected, forested watersheds — and the water consistently meets all EPA standards.
Water Source
The City of Rochester Water Bureau draws from Hemlock and Canadice Lakes, the two smallest Finger Lakes, whose shorelines are undeveloped state forest land protected for over a century; suburban Monroe County is served separately with Lake Ontario water.
EPA Compliance Status
Meets all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
Notable Contaminants & Context
- •No significant source-water concerns — the watersheds are undeveloped and closed to shoreline building, a rarity among US supplies
- •Legacy lead service lines exist in Rochester's older housing stock; corrosion control and a replacement program keep measured levels low
- •Disinfection byproducts are monitored and kept within EPA limits
Water Quality Data
Key contaminants detected vs. regulatory limits. All values from the most recent published report — Source: Monroe County Water Authority 2024 CCR.
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine (total) | 1.4 mg/L | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| Fluoride | 0.73 mg/L | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| Lead (90th percentile) | 3.1 µg/L | 15.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| Nitrate (as N) | 0.62 mg/L | 10.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| TTHM (Total Trihalomethanes) | 29.4 µg/L | 80.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| HAA5 (Haloacetic Acids) | 19.8 µg/L | 60.0 µg/L | ✓ |
✓ = below limit ⚠ = above health goal ✗ = exceeds guideline
How It Compares
Rochester bought up its watershed lands in the 1800s and later transferred them to state forest protection — the same protected-source playbook as Boston and Portland, delivering unusually clean raw water.
Tips
- •City water (Hemlock/Canadice) and county water (Lake Ontario) differ slightly in taste; both are compliant
- •Pre-1940 homes should consider the standard lead flush-and-filter precautions
- •The Water Bureau publishes annual quality reports for the lake system
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.
- •US EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations
- •EWG Tap Water Database
- •The utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
- •WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality