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Rensselaer, NY Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for Rensselaer, NY — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at Rensselaer's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: Rensselaer City Pws PWSID: NY4100044 Updated: 2026 Q2
✅

No federal limits exceeded on record

Lead is 6.60 ppb, 44% of the action level and no violations are open. No PFAS was detected.

B

Rensselaer earns a B for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: 6.60 ppb — 44% of the federal action level
PFAS tested, none detected
6 violations since 2015, 4 health-based
No violations currently open
Rensselaer's lead level vs. all New York community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: 6.60 ppb — 44% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than 15% of New York utilities
Population Served
9153
~3200 connections
Water Source
Surface water
Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
Active Violations
0
6 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
44% of EPA action level
6.60 ppb
Action level: 15 ppb
The 90th-percentile lead result is 6.60 ppb, 44% of the 15 ppb federal action level. The action level is a treatment trigger, not a legal maximum, and it is measured across sampled taps rather than at any single home.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

ContaminantTypeMeasuredLimitPeriodStatus
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE 82.3 NG/L 0.080 mg/L 2022 Resolved
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE 81.1 MG/L 0.080 mg/L 2021 Resolved
TTHM MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.080 mg/L 2018 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.060 mg/L 2018 Resolved
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE 87.93 UG/L 0.080 mg/L 2018 Resolved
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE 149 UG/L 0.080 mg/L 2017 Resolved
Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

6 violations are on record since 2015, of which 4 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Rensselaer City Pws
PWSID NY4100044
Water source Surface water — Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
Population served 9,153
Service connections 3,200
Systems serving this area 3
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rensselaer tap water safe to drink? ▼
No federal limit is exceeded on record. No violations are currently open. Lead is 6.60 ppb, 44% of the action level.
Does Rensselaer water have PFAS? ▼
It was tested for the six regulated PFAS compounds and none were detected.
Who supplies water to Rensselaer? ▼
Rensselaer City Pws (PWSID NY4100044), one of 3 systems serving this area. Surface water. Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2025-09-03. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Rensselaer Residents Do?

1
Consider a filter certified for lead
Look for NSF/ANSI 53 certification for lead reduction.
2
Check for a lead service line
Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.
3
Flush before drinking
If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

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