Tap Water Results

Is Bethlehem, NY tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Bethlehem Water District No 1.

2 public water systems serve parts of Bethlehem. The largest, Bethlehem Water District No 1, serves 31,000 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Bethlehem Water District No 1

31,000 people · Surface water · EPA ID NY0100191

Buys treated water from Guilderland Town Water District, Albany City Water System.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 1.02 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2023, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 7

Across New York, 31 of 322 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 16 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. New York results.

Bethlehem homes and lead pipes

56%
of homes built before 1980 (New York 74%, US 50%)
21%
built before 1950 (New York 38%)
27%
of households rent (New York 46%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Bethlehem town (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Bethlehem

  • South Albany Water District
    80 people · Groundwater · New York · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Albany 6 mi
Albany City Water System
Albany City Water SystemNone above limits13 ppb
Guilderland 11 mi
Guilderland Town Water District
Guilderland Town Water DistrictNone above limits2.8 ppb
Colonie 11 mi
Latham Water District
Latham Water DistrictNone above limits2 ppb
Troy 13 mi
Troy City Public Water System
Troy City Public Water SystemNone above limits110 ppb
Schenectady 16 mi
Schenectady City Water Works
Schenectady City Water WorksNone above limits3 ppb
Rotterdam 18 mi
Rotterdam Water District #5
Rotterdam Water District #5None above limits0.83 ppb
Bethlehem ZIP codes (5)
  • 12054
  • 12077
  • 12158
  • 12159
  • 12161

Questions

Is Bethlehem tap water safe to drink?

Bethlehem Water District No 1 had 7 health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Bethlehem, NY?

2 public water systems serve parts of Bethlehem. The largest is Bethlehem Water District No 1 (31,000 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Bethlehem tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Bethlehem Water District No 1 had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Bethlehem homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 56% of Bethlehem homes as built before 1980 (New York: 74%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Bethlehem Water District No 1's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.