Is Poughkeepsie, 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 Poughkeepsie Townwide Water District.
4 public water systems serve parts of Poughkeepsie. The largest, Poughkeepsie Townwide Water District, serves 43,000 people. Your water bill names your system.
Largest system
Poughkeepsie Townwide Water District
43,000 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID NY1302812
| PFAS | Highest average | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFOS Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| PFNA Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
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: 2.1 ppb at the 90th percentile (Jun 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0
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.
Poughkeepsie homes and lead pipes
Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.
Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Poughkeepsie town (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.
Other water systems serving Poughkeepsie
- Poughkeepsie City Water System30,639 people · Purchased surface water · New York · lists this cityNo PFAS above limits
- Eastdale Village Water System719 people · Purchased surface water · New York · lists this cityNot in EPA's PFAS sample
- Central Dutchess Water Line400 people · Purchased surface water · New York · lists this cityNot in EPA's PFAS sample
How nearby cities compare
| City | PFAS | Lead (90th pct.) |
|---|---|---|
| Wappinger 6 mi United Wappinger Water Improvement District | None above limits | 5 ppb |
| East Fishkill 10 mi Beekman Country Club Water System | Not tested | 1.4 ppb |
| Newburgh 11 mi Newburgh City Water System | None above limits | 1.5 ppb |
| New Windsor 17 mi New Windsor Consolidated Water District | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| Carmel 22 mi Carmel Water District 2 | None above limits | 6.9 ppb |
| Kiryas Joel 26 mi Kiryas Joel Water System | None above limits | 9 ppb |
Poughkeepsie ZIP codes (3)
- 12601
- 12603
- 12604
Questions
Is Poughkeepsie tap water safe to drink?
Poughkeepsie Townwide Water District has had no 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 Poughkeepsie, NY?
4 public water systems serve parts of Poughkeepsie. The largest is Poughkeepsie Townwide Water District (43,000 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.
Does Poughkeepsie tap water have PFAS?
None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Poughkeepsie Townwide Water District 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 Poughkeepsie homes have lead pipes?
Census estimates put 72% of Poughkeepsie 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. Poughkeepsie Townwide Water District'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.