Show Every day, New York’s public drinking water systems move billions of gallons of water into homes for drinking, cooking, and household use. The New York State Departments of Health (DOH) and Environmental Conservation (DEC) work with local health departments, local officials and your water suppliers to protect public water. New York State’s drinking water programs help ensure that underground aquifers, rivers, and lakes used for public water are protected from contamination, public water systems are regularly monitored, and water treatment operators are properly trained and certified. The Basics
View From Source to Tap video to learn more about the people and efforts responsible for protecting New York’s public drinking water.
Protecting Source WaterProtecting public water starts at the source. Every major water supply has a Source Water Assessment Plan that maps the water from its source to your tap. New York State DOH and DEC have a Drinking Water Source Protection Program that assists communities in implementing protection programs through land and water use regulations. Treating and Monitoring Drinking WaterPublic drinking water remains the safest option because New York State certified operators are on call 24/7, monitoring the water and making sure the plant is operating correctly to remove contaminants. Water suppliers regularly test public water to make sure that levels for more than 100 different contaminants meet strict drinking water standards before they reach your tap. Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)
Drinking Water Data
Emerging ContaminantsThe goal of New York’s public water program is keeping New Yorkers safe by enforcing strict standards and developing new standards for contaminants as we learn about them. Health department staff review drinking water data, existing health studies, and meet with experts to develop new drinking water regulations that address the highest priority contaminants threatening New York’s water.
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