Community Water System · PWS NY1400422
Buffalo Water Authority
Buffalo, New York 14202 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 276,000 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.
- 276,000
- People served
- 106
- EPA violations
- 3
- Health-based
- No PFAS
- UCMR5 result
The verdict
EPA records 106 drinking-water violations at Buffalo Water Authority, 3% of them health-based - above the New York per-system average.
- 106
- Total EPA violations on record
- 3%
- Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
- 276,000
- People served by this system
- 0
- PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)
Water Quality Snapshot: Buffalo Water Authority
Buffalo Water Authority is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 276,000 residents in Buffalo, New York (Erie County) through 80,000 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 106 total violations for this system , of which 3 (3%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 97 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2024.
The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), recorded in 4 violations (MR). This system was sampled under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program and no PFAS compounds were detected above the minimum reporting level.
Across New York, EPA tracks 8,098 public water systems serving 19,294,951 people, with 552,003 cumulative violations and 26,817 health-based violations on record. About 94% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 68.2 violations. Statewide, 129 of 332 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (38.9%).
Buffalo Water Authority's 106 violations sit above the New York average.
All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.
System Details
- System Type
- Community
- Owner Type
- Local
- Connections
- 80,000
- County
- Erie
- School/Daycare
- No
- MCL Violations
- 0
- Monitoring Violations
- 97
- Treatment Tech Violations
- 3
Violation History
Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.
| Contaminant | Category | Count | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MR | 4 | 2020 |
| TTHM | MR | 4 | 2020 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | TT | 3 | 2002 |
| Endrin | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Toxaphene | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Dalapon | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Simazine | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Picloram | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Aldicarb sulfoxide | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Atrazine | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| LASSO | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| 2,4,5-TP | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| HEXACHLOROBENZENE | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Pentachlorophenol | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | RPT | 3 | 2024 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| BHC-GAMMA | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Heptachlor epoxide | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Methoxychlor | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Dinoseb | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Aldicarb | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MR | 3 | 2024 |
| OXAMYL | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Aldicarb sulfone | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Heptachlor | MR | 3 | 2014 |
| Hexachlorocyclopentadiene | MR | 3 | 2014 |
PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)
Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 0 of 91 samples detected PFAS.
| Contaminant | Date | Result | MRL | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:2 FTS | 8/15/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 8/15/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| HFPO-DA | 8/15/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| ADONA | 8/15/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | 8/15/2023 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBA | 8/15/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFUnA | 8/15/2023 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxA | 8/15/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDoA | 8/15/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDA | 8/15/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOS | 8/15/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFNA | 8/15/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxS | 8/15/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpA | 8/15/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBS | 8/15/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 4:2 FTS | 8/15/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOA | 8/15/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTA | 8/15/2023 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 8:2 FTS | 8/15/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFEESA | 8/15/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NMeFOSAA | 8/15/2023 | <6.00 ppt | 6.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTrDA | 8/15/2023 | <7.00 ppt | 7.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpS | 8/15/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeS | 8/15/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NFDHA | 8/15/2023 | <20.00 ppt | 20.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMBA | 8/15/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeA | 8/15/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMPA | 8/15/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NEtFOSAA | 8/15/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | 5/30/2023 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| ADONA | 5/30/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| HFPO-DA | 5/30/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMBA | 5/30/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 6:2 FTS | 5/30/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 8:2 FTS | 5/30/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 5/30/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTrDA | 5/30/2023 | <7.00 ppt | 7.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBA | 5/30/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NFDHA | 5/30/2023 | <20.00 ppt | 20.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFEESA | 5/30/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeA | 5/30/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMPA | 5/30/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTA | 5/30/2023 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBS | 5/30/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpA | 5/30/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 4:2 FTS | 5/30/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFUnA | 5/30/2023 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFNA | 5/30/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOS | 5/30/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxS | 5/30/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
Verify This Water System
The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Buffalo Water Authority.
EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports
EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:
View PWS ID NY1400422 on SDWISSource: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search
New York Drinking Water Authority
New York State Department of Health, Public Water Systems is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects Buffalo Water Authority under EPA-delegated authority.
Open NY regulator portalSource: New York State Department of Health, Public Water Systems
Violation Timeline
Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.
| Year (latest) | Contaminant | Category | Count | EPA Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | RPT | 3 | SDWIS / NY1400422 / 5200 |
| 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | MR | 3 | SDWIS / NY1400422 / 5000 |
| 2020 | Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MR | 4 | SDWIS / NY1400422 / 2456 |
| 2020 | TTHM | MR | 4 | SDWIS / NY1400422 / 2950 |
| 2014 | Endrin | MR | 3 | SDWIS / NY1400422 / 2005 |
| 2014 | Toxaphene | MR | 3 | SDWIS / NY1400422 / 2020 |
| 2014 | Dalapon | MR | 3 | SDWIS / NY1400422 / 2031 |
| 2014 | Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate | MR | 3 | SDWIS / NY1400422 / 2035 |
| 2014 | Simazine | MR | 3 | SDWIS / NY1400422 / 2037 |
| 2014 | Picloram | MR | 3 | SDWIS / NY1400422 / 2040 |
| 2014 | Aldicarb sulfoxide | MR | 3 | SDWIS / NY1400422 / 2043 |
| 2014 | Atrazine | MR | 3 | SDWIS / NY1400422 / 2050 |
| 2014 | LASSO | MR | 3 | SDWIS / NY1400422 / 2051 |
| 2014 | 2,4,5-TP | MR | 3 | SDWIS / NY1400422 / 2110 |
| 2014 | HEXACHLOROBENZENE | MR | 3 | SDWIS / NY1400422 / 2274 |
How Buffalo Water Authority Compares
Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.
| Metric | Buffalo Water Authority | New York avg | Federal benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total violations | 106 | 68.2 | SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach |
| Health-based violations | 3 | 3.3 | Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL |
| PFAS detection | None | 38.9% | EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt |
| Population served | 276,000 | 2,383 | Sizing context for compliance burden |
Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 8,098 regulated public water systems in New York.
Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
| Contaminant | Federal MCL / Action Level | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) | Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique |
| Arsenic | 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) | Health-based MCL since 2006 |
| Total Coliform | Treatment technique (RTCR) | Indicator organism, monitoring trigger |
| PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) | 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) | Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026) |
| Nitrate (as N) | 10 mg/L | Acute health risk for infants |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo Water Authority water safe to drink? ▼
How many people does Buffalo Water Authority serve? ▼
What type of violations does Buffalo Water Authority have? ▼
Has PFAS been detected in Buffalo Water Authority water? ▼
What water source does Buffalo Water Authority use? ▼
Where does this data come from? ▼
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.