Yes, at low levels. 1 PFAS was detected, all below EPA's 2024 limits.
Also detected, no federal limit: PFBA.
Ocwa is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Syracuse, New York, serving about 350,000 people, including Baldwinsville, Bernhards Bay, Brewerton, Bridgeport, Camillus, Canastota. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 12 times across 3 sampling points between Mar 2023 and Dec 2023.
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFBA Perfluorobutanoic acid |
1 of 12 | 5.6 ppt | 1.4 ppt | none |
Not detected: 11Cl-PF3OUdS, NEtFOSAA, PFTrDA, PFTA, ADONA, PFPeS, NFDHA, PFEESA, PFMBA, PFPeA, PFMPA, 8:2 FTS, NMeFOSAA, 6:2 FTS, PFHpS, HFPO-DA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, PFUnA, PFHxA, PFDoA, PFDA, PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFHpA, PFBS, 4:2 FTS.
Lithium, tested in the same program: not detected.
In April 2024 EPA set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures. Utilities were given until 2029 to comply. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping only the PFOA and PFOS limits and moving that deadline to 2031. Until that proposal is final, the 2024 limits stand.
Compliance is judged on a running annual average at each entry point, so we show the average at this system's worst sampling point next to its single highest result. UCMR 5 results do not by themselves put a utility in or out of compliance.
Levels here are under EPA's limits, so no treatment is required. If you want them lower anyway, a certified reverse osmosis system under the sink handles drinking water, and a whole-house carbon filter also takes out the chlorine or chloramine your utility adds.
All 334 tested systems in New York
13027 13028 13029 13030 13031 13032 13036 13037 13039 13041 13042 13044 13057 13060 13066 13069 13074 13076 13078 13080 13082 13084 13088 13090 13103 13104 13108 13110 13112 13113 13115 13116 13120 13123 13126 13131 13132 13135 13138 13152 13156 13157 13159 13162 13164 13167 13201 13204 13205 13206 13207 13208 13209 13210 13211 13212 13214 13215 13219 13220 13221 13308 13316 13401 13402 13421 13501
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Well & Tap. "PFAS in Ocwa water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID NY3304336. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/new-york/ocwa/
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID NY3304336). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.
