White Plains Tap Water:
The Hidden Threat in Your Sink

Discover the shocking truth about what's really in your drinking water and how it could be affecting your family's health.

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NYC DEP employees monitoring watershed

The Shocking Truth About Your Tap Water

Twenty years ago, I ran a full-time business installing reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration systems in homes and commercial properties across Westchester and New York City. After years of conversations with water department officials across multiple municipalities, I became fascinated—if not stunned—by the idea that tap water could legally be classified as "safe for public consumption."

Back then, the main concern was chlorine, lead, and bacteria. But now, after recently revisiting the topic, I've realized the situation has gotten worse, not better. With modern testing methods, we're now uncovering hundreds of unregulated toxic compounds that weren't even part of the conversation two decades ago.

These include hormone disruptors, pharmaceuticals, and PFAS chemicals that never leave the body.

See The Evidence For Yourself

Watch how Yonkers tap water destroyed a brand-new reverse osmosis filter in under a week

The Open-Air Reservoir Problem in Valhalla

Where Your Water Comes From

White Plains draws its water from the Catskill and Delaware watersheds, which empty into the Kensico Reservoir in Valhalla. Though the source is technically "protected," Kensico is an open-air storage basin—exposed to the elements and wildlife.

What Gets Into Your Water

  • Deer and fish waste
  • Bird droppings
  • Surface runoff from nearby roads
  • Agricultural chemicals
  • Groundwater from polluted aquifers
Route 22 highway runoff

Our Aging Water Infrastructure

Built over a century ago, our water system wasn't designed to handle modern contaminants

Construction of Catskill Aqueduct in 1911

Catskill Aqueduct (1911)

The original aqueduct was an engineering marvel of its time, but was built long before modern chemical contaminants were a concern. The system was designed to deliver water, not filter out industrial pollutants.

Ashokan Reservoir completed in 1915

Ashokan Reservoir (1915)

The first major water supply for The Bronx, this reservoir was built when lead pipes were still common and before the invention of most synthetic chemicals that now pollute our water.

What's Really in Your Water?

The sheer volume of water stored is impossible to fully filter. Municipalities dose it with chemicals that may kill microbes but do nothing against these toxins:

PFAS (Forever Chemicals)

Used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foam. They accumulate in the body and never break down in the environment.

Lead and Copper

Leaches from old pipes and plumbing fixtures. Even low levels can cause developmental issues in children and cardiovascular problems in adults.

Pharmaceuticals

Traces of antibiotics, antidepressants, and hormones enter the water through human waste and improper disposal of medications.

Pesticides

Agricultural runoff contains herbicides like atrazine, which is banned in Europe but still used in the U.S. and linked to hormone disruption.

1,4-Dioxane

A probable human carcinogen found in solvents, adhesives, and personal care products. Resistant to conventional water treatment.

Hormone Disruptors

Phthalates and BPA from plastics interfere with the endocrine system, affecting reproduction, development, and metabolism.

Boiling the water? It concentrates these toxins rather than removing them.

Never Let Children Drink Tap Water

Children are more than twice as vulnerable to chemical exposures. Their organs are still developing. Their bodies are smaller. Even microdoses of endocrine disruptors like PFAS or phthalates can lead to serious health issues.

Potential Effects on Children:

  • Disrupted hormone production
  • Lower IQ and cognitive delays
  • Hyperactivity and mood disorders
  • Weakened immune response
  • Early-onset puberty
  • Birth defects and developmental delays

There is no "safe" level of exposure to these toxins for children.

What Filters Actually Work?

Not all water filters are created equal. Here's what you need to know about your options:

Under-Sink Sediment Filters

  • Designed for rust and visible particles
  • Does NOT remove chemicals or heavy metals
  • Better than nothing, but not a chemical solution
Basic Protection

Pitcher Filters (Brita, PUR)

  • Reduces some chlorine and PFAS, if NSF-certified
  • Cheap and renter-friendly
  • Marginal protection—not enough for families
Limited Protection

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

  • Removes PFAS, lead, fluoride, pharmaceuticals, and more
  • Cost: $150–$700 for DIY under-sink systems
  • Needs filter changes every 6–12 months
Best for Drinking

Whole-House Systems

  • Can include carbon, KDF, and UV systems
  • Not all remove PFAS or endocrine disruptors
  • Excellent when combined with under-sink RO for drinking
Comprehensive Solution

What to Ask the City to Test For

Demand a full panel from your water department. Here are the key contaminants to ask about:

PFAS Chemicals

  • PFOA
  • PFOS
  • GenX

Industrial Chemicals

  • 1,4-Dioxane
  • Perchlorate

Endocrine Disruptors

  • Phthalates
  • BPA

Heavy Metals

  • Lead
  • Copper
  • Manganese
  • Arsenic

Agricultural Chemicals

  • Atrazine (herbicide)
  • Pesticides

Pharmaceuticals

Various medication residues

Conclusion: You Have a Right to Clean Water

White Plains isn't facing a sudden water crisis—it's facing a slow chemical siege. Most contaminants are unregulated, untested, and unfiltered. Water is considered "safe" because the government doesn't require testing for what really matters.

If you care about your health—or your children's health—you don't wait for the EPA or local officials to catch up.

Test your water

Get independent testing for contaminants the city doesn't report.

Install a real filter

Choose a system that actually removes the dangerous contaminants.

Share this information

Help others understand the risks in our water supply.

Remember: Legal doesn't mean safe. And normal doesn't mean acceptable.

Take Action: Demand Better Water Quality

Use this sample letter to contact the White Plains Bureau of Water & Wastewater and demand transparency about unreported contaminants in our water supply.

Your Information

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

White Plains, NY [ZIP Code]

Date: [Insert Date]

To: White Plains Bureau of Water & Wastewater

Department of Public Works

255 Main Street

White Plains, NY 10601

Subject: Inquiry Regarding Unreported Contaminants in White Plains Water Quality Reports

Dear Bureau of Water & Wastewater,

I am writing to express my concerns about the current water quality reports provided by the City of White Plains. Specifically, I have observed that several contaminants, known to pose significant health risks, are not included in the annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs). Given the potential presence of these substances in our water supply, I respectfully request clarification on the following:

  • Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Commonly referred to as "forever chemicals," PFAS are used in various industrial applications and consumer products. Their persistence in the environment and potential health impacts, including hormonal disruptions and cancer, are well-documented. Considering the proximity of the Westchester County Airport and historical use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams, there is a plausible risk of PFAS contamination in our water sources.
  • 1,4-Dioxane: This synthetic industrial chemical is found in solvents, adhesives, and personal care products. It is a probable human carcinogen and is resistant to conventional water treatment methods. Its presence in surface and groundwater sources has been detected in various regions, raising concerns about its potential occurrence in our local water supply.
  • Phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA): These chemicals are widely used in the production of plastics and can leach into water from various sources, including plastic pipes and containers. They are known endocrine disruptors, affecting reproductive health and development.
  • Atrazine: A commonly used herbicide in agriculture, atrazine can enter water bodies through runoff. It has been linked to endocrine disruption and reproductive issues in wildlife and humans.
  • Pharmaceutical Residues: Medications disposed of improperly can enter the water system, leading to the presence of pharmaceutical compounds in drinking water. These substances can have various health effects, especially with long-term exposure.

Given the potential health implications associated with these contaminants, I urge the Bureau to consider the following actions:

  • Comprehensive Testing: Implement routine testing for the aforementioned contaminants to assess their presence and concentrations in our water supply.
  • Transparency: Include the results of these tests in the annual CCRs to inform residents about the quality of their drinking water.
  • Public Education: Provide guidance on effective home water filtration systems capable of reducing or eliminating these contaminants, ensuring residents can make informed decisions about their water consumption.

I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response detailing the steps the Bureau will take to address these concerns.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Signature, if sending a hard copy]