Drinking Water Protection Program

Explore resources dedicated to providing safe, quality drinking water to New Yorkers. Find out about programs that manage, protect and help fund New York’s public drinking water systems supplying nearly 95% of residents with drinking water. Learn how to reduce exposure to drinking water contaminants, and maintain and safeguard household wells and septic systems. Professionals can seek training opportunities, infrastructure financing and documents essential to public water system care and maintenance. Learn ways New York makes every effort to protect public drinking water.

Your Drinking Water

The Department of Health oversees the delivery of drinking water to ensure that it is suitable for people to drink. To assure the safety of drinking water in New York, the Department of Health in cooperation with county health departments, regulates the operation, design and quality of public water supplies and commercial bottled water suppliers.

Find additional drinking water safety information, including finding a certified lab, standards for Bottled and Bulk Water, or Boiling Water guidelines and Emergency Response.

Water Supply Professionals

Learn about and review New York State drinking water regulations and programs, how to become a Certified Water Operator, and get important information on financial incentives to improve drinking water infrastructure.

Find additional information for water supply proffesionals such as drinking water programs, reference materials and Fact Sheets on protecting water wells.

Protecting Drinking Water

New York State is commited to protecting drinking water. As part of this commitment, inter-agency collaborations and programs have been established to oversee the continued health and safety of public water consumption.

Find additional information on protecting public drinking water, such as Legionella, Septic System placement, Filtration Avoidance Determination and harmful algae blooms.