Tap Water Quality Report

Tap water quality in BUFFALO (C), New York

Served by 2 public water systems. 589,380 residents.

Average score 61/100
Utilities 2
Population 589,380
D
61/100
Below Average
ⓘ How did we get this rating?
Quick answer

Tap water in BUFFALO (C), New York receives a grade of D (61/100) from TapWaterSafety.org. It's served by 2 public water systems, primarily ECWA DIRECT. The most significant water quality concerns are: Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline; PFAS contamination; Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline. Data sources: EPA SDWIS, EPA ECHO, EWG Tap Water Database.

Data sources for this grade: utilities.csv EWG Tap Water Database ⓘ How did we get this rating?

What's in BUFFALO (C)'s tap water

Top water quality concerns identified by the EPA and Environmental Working Group across the utilities serving BUFFALO (C).

Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Haloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 27.6 ppb, 460x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 38.7 ppb, 258x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.

Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Haloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 19.7 ppb, 197x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.

PFAS contamination

Severe concern

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) detected. PFAS are persistent chemicals linked to cancer and immune effects with no known safe exposure threshold.

Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) detected at 0.4 ppt, 400x above the EWG health guideline of 0.001 ppt.

Recommended filters for BUFFALO (C)

Filters matched to the specific contaminants in BUFFALO (C)'s water supply.

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All contaminants detected in BUFFALO (C)'s tap water

Every contaminant identified, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal. Why we show multiple standards →

Contaminant Detected EWG
US health-based
EPA
US legal
EU DWD
Europe
WHO
global
CA PHG
strictest US
Tested
sample year
Status
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)
Disinfection byproduct
27.6 ppb 0.06 460× over
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
PFAS
0.4 ppt 0.001 10.0 400× over
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Disinfection byproduct
38.9 ppb 0.15 80.0 100 259× over
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Disinfection byproduct
19.7 ppb 0.1 60.0 60 197× over
Bromodichloromethane
Disinfection byproduct
10.7 ppb 0.06 178× over
Trichloroacetic acid
Disinfection byproduct
8.71 ppb 0.1 87× over
Arsenic
Heavy metal
0.267 ppb 0.004 10.0 10 10 0.004 67× over
Chloroform
Disinfection byproduct
24.3 ppb 0.4 61× over
Dibromochloromethane
Disinfection byproduct
5.07 ppb 0.1 51× over
Dichloroacetic acid
Disinfection byproduct
9.97 ppb 0.2 50× over
Dibromoacetic acid
Disinfection byproduct
0.411 ppb 0.03 14× over
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
PFAS
0.981 ppt 0.09 4.0 100 100 0.007 11× over
Chromium (hexavalent)
Heavy metal
0.0988 ppb 0.02 4.9× over
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
PFAS
1.04 ppt 0.3 4.0 100 100 1 3.5× over
Nitrate
Inorganic
0.16 ppm 0.14 10.0 11.3 11.3 10 1.1× over
Nitrate and nitrite
Inorganic
0.126 ppm 0.14 10.0 11.3 11.3 10 Below guideline
Antimony
Heavy metal
0.8 ppb 1.0 6.0 10 20 1 Below guideline
Bromoform
Disinfection byproduct
0.325 ppb 0.5 Below guideline
Chlorate
Disinfection byproduct
96.8 ppb 210.0 Below guideline
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
Semi-volatile organic compound
0.435 ppb 3.0 6.0 Below guideline
Molybdenum
Other
1.09 ppb 40.0 Below guideline
Manganese
Heavy metal
2.58 ppb 100.0 50 80 Below guideline
Barium
Heavy metal
15.6 ppb 700.0 2000.0 1300 2000 Below guideline
Monochloroacetic acid
Disinfection byproduct
0.532 ppb 53.0 Below guideline
Monobromoacetic acid
Disinfection byproduct
0.229 ppb 25.0 Below guideline
Vanadium
Other
0.0625 ppb 21.0 Below guideline
Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)
PFAS
0.758 ppt 2000.0 Below guideline
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA)
PFAS
0.187 ppt 1000.0 Below guideline
Strontium
Radiological
0.161 ppb 1500.0 Below guideline
4-Androstene-3,17-dione
Other
0.175 ppt Below guideline
Fluoride
Inorganic
0.35 ppm 4.0 1.5 1.5 Below guideline

All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.

Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines, California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.

Treatment plant contact info

For service issues, water quality concerns, or to request a Consumer Confidence Report from ECWA DIRECT.

General Contact

Address350 ELLICOTT SQUARE BUILDING, BUFFALO, NY 14203
Main phone716-849-8484

Treatment Plant

FacilityVAN DE WATER WTP