Is Rochester Water Safe to Drink? What the Data Says

Understanding Rochester's Water Source and Treatment

Rochester draws its drinking water from Lake Ontario through the Hemlock and Canadice reservoirs, a source that serves approximately 200,000 people in the Rochester area. While Lake Ontario is one of the world's largest freshwater sources, its water undergoes rigorous treatment at the Monroe Avenue Water Purification Plant before reaching your tap.

The city employs multiple treatment processes including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to remove contaminants and ensure EPA compliance. Each year, the Rochester Water Authority publishes a comprehensive Annual Water Quality Report (also called a Consumer Confidence Report) that details what's actually in the water delivered to homes throughout Monroe and Wayne counties.

What the EPA Legal Limits Really Mean

Rochester water meets all EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)—the legal limits set by federal law. This is important to understand: the EPA's standards are based primarily on what the agency considers feasible to treat, not necessarily the lowest level that poses zero health risk. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires regular testing and compliance reporting, and Rochester's water consistently passes these federal requirements.

However, EPA limits and health guidelines are different things. The EPA hasn't updated many of its standards in decades, while health advocacy organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have developed lower, science-based guidelines based on newer research about long-term exposure and health effects.

The Contaminant Reality: 11 Compounds Exceed EWG Health Guidelines

According to the Rochester Water Authority's most recent data and independent analysis, the water delivered to Rochester homes contains 11 contaminants at levels that exceed EWG health-based guidelines, though all remain below EPA legal limits. These include:

• Haloacetic acids (HAAs): A group of chlorine byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter in the water. Rochester typically reports HAA levels of 20-30 ppb (parts per billion), with EWG's guideline at 0.3 ppb.
• Trihalomethanes (THMs): Another class of disinfection byproducts. Rochester's levels typically range from 40-60 ppb, compared to EWG's guideline of 0.7 ppb.
• Chlorine residual: Added to prevent bacterial growth in pipes. Typical levels are 0.5-1.5 ppm, higher than EWG's guideline of 0.1 ppm.
• Lead: Found in older service lines and household plumbing. While Rochester's average is typically below 10 ppb, an estimated 1 in 3 water lines in Rochester contains lead—a serious issue we address in detail in another article.
• Nitrates: Typically below EPA limits but occasionally approaching them during spring runoff.

Disinfection Byproducts: The Necessary Trade-Off

One of the most important facts about Rochester water quality is understanding disinfection byproducts. The EPA requires municipal water systems to disinfect water to eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses—this is a non-negotiable safety measure. However, when chlorine and other disinfectants react with natural organic matter in the water, they create compounds like HAAs and THMs.

This is a classic public health trade-off: you must disinfect to prevent infectious disease, but disinfection itself creates chemical byproducts. The EPA balances these risks by setting limits on DBPs that are considered safe based on current evidence. Still, many water quality researchers and health advocates believe lower DBP levels would be preferable for long-term health.

Rochester's Hardness: A Quality Rather Than a Safety Issue

Rochester water has a hardness level of approximately 5-7.6 grains per gallon (GPG), or about 86-132 ppm. This is considered moderately hard to hard water. Hardness itself isn't a health concern—it's caused by calcium and magnesium minerals—but it does affect water quality in practical ways: spotty dishes, scale buildup in pipes and appliances, and reduced soap effectiveness.

The Bottom Line: Is Rochester Water Safe?

By EPA legal standards, yes—Rochester water is safe and meets all federal requirements. By broader health-based guidelines, there's room for improvement, particularly regarding disinfection byproducts. For most people, drinking Rochester tap water doesn't pose immediate health risks. However, certain populations are more vulnerable: young children, pregnant women, elderly individuals, and people with compromised immune systems may benefit from additional filtration.

The key is understanding what you're dealing with. If you're concerned about any specific contaminant—whether lead, chlorine taste and odor, hardness, or DBPs—we recommend a free water test to identify what's actually in your water. We can then recommend targeted filtration solutions, whether that's a point-of-use drinking water filter, a whole-house system, or both.

What You Can Do About It

Our team has helped hundreds of Rochester families improve their water quality. Some choose activated carbon filters to reduce chlorine taste and DBPs. Others install reverse osmosis systems for lead and chemical removal. For hardness issues, many opt for water softeners or salt-free conditioners. The right solution depends on your specific water quality and budget.

The first step is knowing what you're actually dealing with. Schedule a free in-home water test with our team—we'll analyze your water and show you exactly what contaminants are present, then recommend the most cost-effective solution to address them.