Is Binghamton, NY Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Binghamton tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOS: 5.25 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Binghamton Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Binghamton Compares
Binghamton's water is 38% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 59% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within New York, it ranks #9 of 37 cities (37% above the state average of 62 PPM). Among smaller cities, Binghamton ranks #141 of 288 for hardness.
What Binghamton's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 85 PPM - Low Concern
Binghamton's water is moderately hard at 85 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are worth watching here. Binghamton has PFOS at 5.25 ppt, exceeding the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 ppt per compound. PFAS are synthetic compounds that accumulate in your body over time. A certified carbon filter or reverse osmosis system with NSF P473 certification is the most effective protection. See the regulatory timeline.
What's in the Treatment Process
Binghamton's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 39.1 ppb (49% of the legal limit, but 261x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 17.5 ppb (29% of the legal limit, but 175x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.0953 ppb, which is 4.8x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 85 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 140 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 19.55 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 4 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 5.25 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| Lead | 1.3 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.1 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 1.35 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Binghamton Homes
Recommended Filter for Binghamton
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOS: 5.25 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.1 mg/L chlorine, many Binghamton residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Binghamton
With PFAS at 19.55 ppt in Binghamton's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request City of Binghamton Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
📊 Already Tested Your Water?
City averages miss neighborhood-level variation. Share your results to help your neighbors get better data.
We review every submission before publishing. Your ZIP is shown; your identity is not.
About Binghamton's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Binghamton Water
Water Source: Susquehanna River watershed (Surface Water)
Population Served: 47,600
Hardness: 85 PPM (5 grains per gallon)
Binghamton's drinking water comes from surface sources — Susquehanna River watershed. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 48,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Binghamton Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Binghamton Water in Binghamton, NY, including ZIP codes:
13040, 13136, 13730, 13732, 13733, 13737, 13744, 13745, 13746, 13748, 13749, 13752, 13753, 13754, 13755, 13756, 13758, 13760, 13761, 13762, 13763, 13774, 13775, 13776, 13777, 13778, 13780, 13782, 13783, 13787, 13790, 13794, 13795, 13797, 13801, 13802, 13803, 13804, 13806, 13809, 13811, 13812, 13813, 13814, 13815, 13825, 13826, 13827, 13830, 13832, 13833, 13838, 13839, 13840, 13841, 13843, 13844, 13845, 13846, 13847, 13848, 13849, 13850, 13851, 13856, 13859, 13862, 13863, 13865, 13901, 13902, 13903, 13904, 13905, 18437, 18455, 18461, 18462, 18465, 18801, 18810, 18812, 18814, 18815, 18818, 18820, 18821, 18822, 18825, 18827, 18828, 18829, 18830, 18831, 18832, 18834, 18837, 18843, 18845, 18847, 18848, 18850, 18851, 18853, 18854
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Binghamton to Other New York Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Binghamton Water
Is Binghamton tap water safe to drink?
Where does Binghamton's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Binghamton?
How do I remove PFAS from Binghamton tap water?
What water filter is best for Binghamton?
Is Binghamton water safe for babies and infants?
What is the hardness of Binghamton water in grains per gallon?
What are disinfection byproducts in Binghamton's water?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Binghamton Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 85 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Binghamton's water data.