The short answer is yes, there is a noticeable difference, largely driven by contaminant levels and the infrastructure needed to treat them. While Long Island boasts a stunning natural environment, the quality of the tap water varies significantly depending on where you live.
Western Long Island: The Challenge of Emerging Contaminants
The western part of the island, particularly Nassau County, faces the steepest challenges in maintaining pristine drinking water. Historical industrial activity and higher population density have resulted in some of the most concerning contaminant detections on Long Island.
This region often contends with higher levels of specific emerging contaminants like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and 1,4-Dioxane. These chemicals, sometimes called “forever chemicals”, are notoriously difficult to remove using conventional treatment methods and have been linked to serious health concerns.
The challenge is amplified by updated federal standards. When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently lowered the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for certain PFAS compounds to near-zero levels (4 parts per trillion), many water districts in Western Long Island were forced to accelerate costly, multi-year plans to install advanced filtration systems like Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) or Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP). For many systems, meeting these new, stricter federal guidelines presents a significant hurdle that requires massive infrastructure investment.
Eastern Long Island: Better, But Not Immune
As you move east, particularly into Suffolk County, drinking water quality is generally considered better. Data indicates that average contaminant detections, while present, are often lower than in the west. This improvement can be attributed to several factors, including lower population density and a less industrialized history.
However, even in the East End, the water supply remains highly vulnerable. The region still relies entirely on the same network of underground aquifers, which are susceptible to pollution from septic systems, agricultural runoff (pesticides/fertilizers), and legacy contamination.
For instance, the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA), a major provider in the area, has been proactive in installing extensive treatment systems to manage PFAS and other contaminants. While these efforts have allowed some providers to achieve compliance with federal standards ahead of schedule, the underlying groundwater risk remains the same across the entire island.
The Source We Share: Our Precious Aquifers
Regardless of whether you live in Nassau or Suffolk, the most crucial fact about your drinking water is this: Long Island’s only source of drinking water is its groundwater aquifers. Every drop of tap water comes from rain and snowmelt that percolates through the soil and into this vast, shared underground reservoir. This means the water in your tap is directly connected to the surface environment around you.
The aquifers are a magnificent, yet fragile, resource. Any pollutants introduced at the surface, from chemical spills and industrial waste to everyday contaminants like nitrogen from septic systems and lawn fertilizers, eventually flow down into the drinking water supply. Once contaminants enter the groundwater, they are extremely costly and challenging to remove. As The Nature Conservancy notes, these aquifers are “ours to protect.”
How Simply PURE Helps Long Island Residents
Given the varying and complex challenges, especially the widespread presence of emerging contaminants like PFAS, relying solely on municipal treatment may not be enough for your peace of mind. Reverse osmosis (RO) filtration is one of the most effective methods for removing contaminants. At Simply PURE, we offer customized water purification solutions designed to address Long Island’s specific water quality challenges. Our systems ensure clean, safe water for drinking, cooking, and everyday use, giving you peace of mind.
Want to learn more? Contact us at Simply PURE Water Filtration to get your water analyzed and find out more about what’s in your water!
About Simply PURE Water Filtration Services
Living in and serving the Long Island community, we strive to make sure everyone has access to clean, healthy water. We have the experience, knowledge, and industry-leading technology to provide clean water solutions for water impurities, contaminants, hard water, bad tasting/odors, well water, acidity & pH regulations.
Proud members of the WQA (Water Quality Association), and the EWQA (Eastern Water Quality Association), we adhere to strict guidelines and the WQA code of ethics. As a Pentair True Blue Partner and Authorized Distributor of Pentair Products, there’s nothing comparable to the performance, and efficiency of our whole house purification systems, water softeners, neutralizers, whole-house filters, and alkaline reverse osmosis systems for drinking in the convenience of your home.
Our products are all NSF / ANSI certified, meeting the highest safety standards and quality performance. Providing our community with only the best experience of high quality water that’s Simply PURE from our family to yours!
Simply PURE utilizes accurate testing methods before and after system installation, as well as annual maintenance of all your water treatment equipment. Our Revolutionary Custom Built Water Treatment systems upon the completion of a Free In-Home Water Analysis, or an in-depth Comprehensive Water Analysis of your choice sent to our Certified Laboratory.
