Buffalo – New York – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Buffalo’s Water Authority operates a robust municipal system serving over 275,000 residents in Buffalo and portions of surrounding communities. Established in 1868, Buffalo Water oversees a comprehensive network including approximately 900 miles of water mains, multiple pumping stations, and a state-of-the-art treatment facility on the shores of Lake Erie. The system delivers approximately 70 million gallons of water daily through one of the Great Lakes region’s most historic infrastructure networks.
Buffalo draws its drinking water exclusively from Lake Erie, the shallowest of the Great Lakes and the fourth largest by volume. The water intake is strategically positioned in the Emerald Channel, away from the Buffalo River discharge and other potential contamination sources. Buffalo’s comprehensive water treatment process includes multiple protective barriers that address the unique challenges of a Great Lakes source. The city has steadily invested in infrastructure upgrades, treatment enhancements, and customer assistance programs to maintain water quality despite the challenges of an aging distribution system.
Buffalo Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead Levels: The most recent testing period (January-December 2023) showed 90th percentile lead levels of 8.3 parts per billion (ppb), below the EPA action level of 15 ppb but indicating the presence of lead service lines throughout the older neighborhoods.
- Testing Scope: Buffalo conducts over 50,000 water quality tests annually across the distribution system, with enhanced monitoring for lead at residential taps in high-risk neighborhoods.
- Compliance Status: Buffalo’s water meets all federal and state drinking water standards, maintaining compliance with EPA and New York Department of Health regulations.
Lake Erie Source Water
- Strategic Intake: Water drawn from the Emerald Channel of Lake Erie, positioned to avoid potential contamination sources and ensure optimal raw water quality.
- Source Monitoring: Continuous automated water quality monitoring at the intake, with additional sampling for algal toxins, industrial pollutants, and emerging contaminants.
- Lake Protection: Buffalo participates in multi-jurisdictional Great Lakes protection initiatives and supports watershed conservation programs to safeguard source water quality.
Comprehensive Treatment Process
- Multi-Barrier Approach: Colonel Ward Treatment Plant utilizes coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection, with seasonal adjustments for changing lake conditions.
- Chemical Optimization: Treatment includes polyaluminum chloride coagulation, activated carbon for taste and odor, chlorine disinfection, and fluoride for dental health.
- Corrosion Control: Enhanced orthophosphate treatment prevents lead and copper leaching from pipes, with targeted pH adjustment to optimize effectiveness in Buffalo’s water chemistry.
Infrastructure Improvements
- Pipeline Replacement: Annual replacement of approximately 15 miles of aging water mains, prioritizing areas with frequent breaks and oldest infrastructure.
- Lead Service Line Program: Accelerated inventory and replacement initiative targeting the estimated 40,000 lead service lines throughout the system, with priority for childcare facilities and low-income neighborhoods.
- Monitoring Technology: Deployment of advanced water quality sensors throughout the distribution system, enabling real-time detection of water quality changes and potential contamination events.
Community Protection Programs
Buffalo provides extensive resident support including complimentary water testing, filter distribution programs, and payment assistance for eligible households. The Replacement of Lead in Water (RLIW) Program offers financial assistance for lead pipe replacement, while educational outreach helps customers understand water quality issues. Buffalo prioritizes water justice by directing infrastructure investments to historically underserved neighborhoods while maintaining transparent communication about system maintenance. The city’s continued commitment to water quality improvements ensures reliable service for residents across New York’s second-largest metropolitan area.
Recommendations for Buffalo Residents
Request Water Testing
Call the Buffalo Water Quality Hotline at (716) 847-1065 or visit buffalowater.org to request free water testing. Testing is particularly important for homes built before 1986 when lead plumbing was common.
Apply for RLIW Program
Enroll in the Replacement of Lead in Water (RLIW) Program for financial assistance with lead service line replacement. Visit buffalowater.org/leadprogram or call (716) 847-1065 for eligibility information.
Install Certified Filters
Use NSF-certified filters (Standard 53 for lead removal) for all drinking and cooking water if you have lead pipes or fixtures. Buffalo’s Community Assistance Program provides free filters to eligible households.
Run Cold Water First
If water has been sitting in pipes for several hours, run cold water for 3-5 minutes before consumption. Always use cold water for drinking and cooking, as hot water can contain higher levels of lead and other metals.
Report Water Issues
Contact Buffalo Water Customer Service at (716) 847-1065 for water main breaks, low pressure, or quality concerns. For after-hours emergencies, call the 24-hour water emergency line at (716) 851-4747.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Buffalo’s tap water meets all federal and state drinking water standards. The water undergoes comprehensive treatment at the Colonel Ward Treatment Plant including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection to ensure safety.
However, like many older cities, Buffalo has lead service lines and plumbing in homes built before 1986. Recent testing shows 90th percentile lead levels at 8.3 ppb, below the EPA action level but still a concern. The city offers free testing, filters, and service line replacement assistance. Residents in older homes should consider having their water tested and using certified filters as a precaution, especially households with children or pregnant women.
How can I check for lead pipes in my home?
Buffalo maintains a database of known lead service lines, but many remain unidentified. To check your home:
1. Locate your water service line where it enters your home (usually in the basement). Lead pipes appear dull gray, are soft enough to scratch with a coin, and won’t attract a magnet.
2. Contact Buffalo Water at (716) 847-1065 to schedule a free service line inspection.
3. Check your home’s age – properties built before 1940 are most likely to have lead service lines, though some were installed through the 1980s.
Buffalo’s RLIW Program provides financial assistance for lead service line replacement, with full coverage available for income-qualified residents.
How does Buffalo treat Lake Erie water?
Buffalo uses a multi-step treatment process at the Colonel Ward Treatment Plant to ensure water safety:
• Coagulation and flocculation: Polyaluminum chloride binds particles together for removal
• Sedimentation: Particle clusters settle out in large basins
• Filtration: Water passes through granular activated carbon and sand filters
• Disinfection: Chlorine eliminates harmful bacteria and viruses
• Corrosion control: Orthophosphate prevents lead and copper leaching from pipes
• Fluoridation: Fluoride added for dental health benefits
Treatment is adjusted seasonally to address changing lake conditions, with enhanced monitoring during algal bloom season.
What about algal blooms in Lake Erie?
Lake Erie experiences seasonal harmful algal blooms (HABs) that can produce toxins. Buffalo has implemented comprehensive safeguards:
Monitoring and Early Detection:
• Continuous automated monitoring at the water intake
• Weekly testing for microcystin and other algal toxins from May through October
• Participation in NOAA and EPA regional monitoring programs
Treatment Capabilities:
• Activated carbon treatment effectively removes algal toxins
• Ability to adjust water intake depth to avoid bloom concentrations
• Enhanced treatment protocols during bloom season
Buffalo’s eastern Lake Erie location typically experiences fewer severe blooms than the western basin, and the treatment plant has never detected concerning levels of algal toxins in finished water.
Contaminants of Concern
Lead
Source: Lead service lines and plumbing in homes built before 1986; Buffalo has approximately 40,000 lead service lines still in use
Health Effects: Developmental delays in children, reduced IQ, learning difficulties, kidney problems, increased blood pressure in adults
Current Levels: 90th percentile value of 8.3 ppb, below EPA action level of 15 ppb EPA Limit: Action level 15 ppb, but no level of lead is considered safe
Algal Toxins
Source: Seasonal harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie that can produce microcystin and other cyanotoxins during warm summer months
Health Effects: Liver damage, gastrointestinal illness, and skin irritation with exposure to elevated levels
Current Status: Not detected in finished water; Buffalo’s treatment processes effectively remove algal toxins, and the eastern basin location experiences fewer severe blooms than western Lake Erie
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