Is Rome, NY tap water safe?

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

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Rome City Water System.

4 public water systems serve parts of Rome. The largest, Rome City Water System, serves 31,795 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Rome City Water System

31,795 people · Surface water · EPA ID NY3202405

Buys treated water from Lee Water District, Floyd Water District, Mohawk Correctional Facility Water System.

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFHxS Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not 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: 5 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2024, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 1

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.

Rome homes and lead pipes

81%

of homes built before 1980 (New York 74%, US 50%)

42%

built before 1950 (New York 38%)

43%

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. 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 Rome city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Rome

Lee Water District
3,150 people · Purchased surface water · New York · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Mohawk Correctional Facility Water System
1,925 people · Purchased surface water · New York · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Floyd Water District
1,710 people · Purchased surface water · New York · lists this city
Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) violations

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Utica 16 mi Mohawk Valley Water Authority	Mohawk Valley Water Authority	None above limits	9 ppb
De Witt 32 mi DeWitt Water District – South	DeWitt Water District – South	None above limits	3 ppb
Syracuse 35 mi Onondaga County Water Authority	Onondaga County Water Authority	None above limits	8 ppb
Clay 35 mi Clay Water District	Clay Water District	None above limits	4 ppb
Auburn 58 mi Auburn Water System	Auburn Water System	None above limits	1.17 ppb
Glenville 79 mi Glenville Water District #11	Glenville Water District #11	None above limits	4.1 ppb

Rome ZIP codes (2)

13440
13441

Questions

Is Rome tap water safe to drink?

Rome City Water System had 1 health-based violation 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 Rome, NY?

4 public water systems serve parts of Rome. The largest is Rome City Water System (31,795 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Rome tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Rome City Water System 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 Rome homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 81% of Rome 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. Rome City Water System'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.