Is Ithaca, NY Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Ithaca tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 110 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Ithaca Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Ithaca Compares
Ithaca's water is close to the national average of 138 PPM, ranking #549 out of 1000 cities tracked. Within New York, it ranks #8 of 37 cities (77% above the state average of 62 PPM). Among smaller cities, Ithaca ranks #130 of 288 for hardness.
What Ithaca's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 110 PPM - Low Concern
Ithaca's water is firmly in the moderate range at 110 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
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Ithaca's water has TTHMs at 52.7 ppb and HAA5 at 26.1 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Ithaca's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 52.7 ppb (66% of the legal limit, but 351x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 26.1 ppb (44% of the legal limit, but 261x 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. 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) | 110 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 175 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 2 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.9 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.383 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Ithaca Homes
How to Test Your Water in Ithaca
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request City of Ithaca Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Ithaca's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Ithaca Water
Water Source: Six Mile Creek, reservoirs (Surface Water)
Population Served: 29,457
Hardness: 110 PPM (6.4 grains per gallon)
Ithaca's drinking water comes from surface sources — Six Mile Creek, reservoirs. 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 29,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Ithaca 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 Ithaca Water in Ithaca, NY, including ZIP codes:
13026, 13045, 13053, 13062, 13065, 13068, 13071, 13073, 13077, 13081, 13092, 13101, 13102, 13118, 13139, 13147, 13160, 13734, 13736, 13738, 13743, 13784, 13835, 13864, 14415, 14418, 14441, 14478, 14521, 14527, 14541, 14588, 14801, 14805, 14806, 14809, 14810, 14812, 14814, 14815, 14816, 14817, 14818, 14819, 14820, 14821, 14823, 14824, 14825, 14827, 14830, 14831, 14837, 14838, 14839, 14840, 14841, 14842, 14845, 14847, 14850, 14851, 14852, 14853, 14854, 14855, 14856, 14857, 14858, 14859, 14860, 14861, 14863, 14864, 14865, 14867, 14869, 14870, 14871, 14872, 14873, 14874, 14876, 14877, 14878, 14879, 14881, 14882, 14883, 14885, 14886, 14887, 14889, 14891, 14892, 14893, 14894, 14897, 14898, 14901, 14902, 14903, 14904, 14905, 16901, 16910, 16911, 16912, 16914, 16917, 16920, 16923, 16925, 16926, 16927, 16928, 16929, 16932, 16933, 16935, 16936, 16937, 16939, 16940, 16941, 16942, 16943, 16945, 16946, 16947, 16950, 17724, 18817, 18840
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Ithaca to Other New York Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Ithaca Water
Is Ithaca tap water safe to drink?
Where does Ithaca's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Ithaca?
What is the hardness of Ithaca water in grains per gallon?
What are disinfection byproducts in Ithaca's water?
Can I drink Ithaca tap water straight from the faucet?
How does Ithaca compare to the New York average?
What water filter is best for Ithaca?
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.