Drinking Water

  Related links
NYC311 Home Report Problems Look Up Service Requests Browse Topics
Call 911
Call 911 if someone is in need of immediate medical attention.

Need something else?

You can report a problem with cold drinking water from the tap or faucet, an illness caused by drinking water, learn about NYC's water quality, and report building drinking water tank inspections.

You can report COLD water from the tap or faucet that is:

  • Brown
  • Black
  • Rusty
  • Yellow
  • Discolored

This applies to single and multi-family dwellings, as well as commercial establishments.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will not investigate complaints that are the result of an internal condition. The building landlord or superintendent is responsible for addressing complaints due to internal conditions.

The problem is internal if:

  • It is occurring in only one location, such as the bathroom or kitchen
  • The water clears after it has run for 5 to 10 minutes
  • No other tenants in the building are experiencing the same problem (only applies to multi-family dwellings)

What You Need

You must provide your contact information so the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) can contact you, if necessary. DEP must have this information to take action on the Service Request.

Street Construction and Discolored Water

While it is not harmful, residents should not drink obviously discolored water.

General information:

  • Occasionally, street construction or water main work can cause discolored water
  • Discolored water occurs when disturbances to the water main, including an opened fire hydrant, cause pipe sediment to shift
  • Washing clothes with discolored water may tint or stain garments
  • Settling times vary, depending on the size of the water mains in the area
  • Residents should run their taps until water runs cold and clear
  • Reporting discolored water conditions helps the DEP engineers pinpoint any problems

Fire Hydrant Survey - Reporting Brown Water

During the spring, the DEP checks and repairs fire hydrants located throughout the five boroughs.

This process can cause tap water in area homes to temporarily run brown.

There is no need for concern if water runs brown for a short time as a result of the hydrant survey program. Just let the tap flow until the water runs clear.

Household Hot Water

The building owner, landlord, or superintendent is responsible for addressing all complaints regarding hot water.

This includes hot water that is:

  • Discolored
  • Rusty
  • Brown
  • Smelly
  • Foul tasting

These conditions in hot water are caused by either a problem with the water heater, corroded pipes, or both.

Report drinking water from the tap or faucet that smells or tastes bad. Reports can include a smell or taste of: 

  • Chlorine
  • Chemicals
  • Something metallic
  • Something musty or stale
  • Sewer, sulfur, or rotten eggs

What You Need

You must provide your contact information so the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) can contact you, if necessary. DEP must have this information to take action on the Service Request.

What You Need

You must provide your contact information so the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) can contact you, if necessary. DEP must have this information to take action on the Service Request.

Report cold drinking water from the tap or faucet that:

Drinking Water Supply and Quality Report

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responsible for maintaining up-to-date and accurate information on New York City's drinking water supply and quality. You can request a booklet that details these findings.

Online

Learn more about water quality.

By Phone

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) to request a copy.

Drinking Water Information

You can get general information about the quality of NYC's drinking water supply, including water hardness, treatment, and filtration for a specific neighborhood.

Inspection

Owners of buildings in New York City that use tanks to store or pressurize the building’s drinking water must have the tanks inspected at least once each calendar year, and must submit the results of those inspections to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene by January 15 of the next calendar year.

Inspection reports may be submitted online or by mail.

Learn more about submitting water tank inspections, get forms, or access the online submitting tool.

Complaint

You can report a building drinking water tank that is:

  • Broken
  • Defective
  • Unsanitary

You can report water issues in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) public housing buildings to the NYCHA Customer Contact Center.

  • Agency: New York City Housing Authority
  • Division: Maintenance Hotline
  • Phone Number: (718) 707-7771
  • Business Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
  • Staff is available at all times to handle emergencies and schedule routine maintenance repairs for Mon - Fri: 6:00 AM - midnight. Automated assistance is also available in Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish.

To report unresolved maintenance issues, use the NYCHA Borough Management Office page.

Arsenic at Riis Houses

Recently, NYCHA was advised by its vendor of a lab error during water testing at Riis Houses.

The error resulted in reports that there were unsafe levels of arsenic in the water. The lab has fully retracted these results.

The City conducted additional testing and found that the water is safe to drink.

  Was this information helpful?   Yes    No

Follow NYC311

Download the NYC311 Mobile App

About NYC311 Send Feedback NYC311 Privacy Policy