White Plains City

To comply with federal regulations, the City of White Plains Department of Public Works annually releases a comprehensive report detailing municipal water quality. This report aims to educate residents about their water supply and emphasize the importance of protecting our water resources.

During 2017, White Plains tap water met all State health standards. The city conducted testing for over 168 potential contaminants, with no maximum contaminant level violations. While 18 contaminants were detected at measurable levels, none exceeded state allowable limits.

Water Source Information: The City of White Plains obtains 100% of its water from The New York City Department of Environmental Protection through Westchester County Water District Number 1. This water comes from the Kensico Reservoir, an unfiltered surface water source known for its high quality and sufficient capacity.

The City's three wells, which previously supplied approximately 150,000 to 200,000 gallons daily, were taken offline in 2009 due to new EPA Surface Water Treatment Rule requirements. Although these wells consistently produced high-quality water for many years, new regulations now require filtration. The city is redesigning its filtration plant to incorporate both reservoir and well supplies, with plans to resume using these sources by 2020.

White Plains maintains an emergency connection to the Delaware Aqueduct (Shaft 22) located in Yonkers, which can supply 100% of the city's requirements if needed. In 2017, there were no water supply restrictions.

System Information: White Plains' municipal water system serves the entire city (approximately 9.8 square miles) with a residential population of about 57,000. Water is distributed through roughly 160 miles of water mains to over 10,000 metered accounts. In 2017, the system produced 2,941.2 million gallons, with a daily average of 8.0 million gallons. The highest single-day usage was 12.6 million gallons.

Of the total water produced, 2,119.6 million gallons were delivered to consumers, leaving 821.5 million gallons (27.9%) unaccounted for. This unaccounted water represents usage for main flushing, firefighting, and losses from water main breaks and service line leaks.

White Plains employs a progressive water rate structure that increases with higher consumption levels. In 2017, residents paid starting rates of $2.35 per 100 cubic feet, with the average family of four paying an annual bill of $266.41 - among the lowest rates in Westchester County.

When should I call 911?

You should call 911 only during genuine emergencies requiring immediate response from law enforcement, fire personnel, or emergency medical staff. Examples include:

• A crime in progress
• A medical emergency
• A vehicle accident
• A fire
• Any immediate threat to life or property

When should I NOT call 911?

Non-emergency calls tie up 911 lines and delay response to genuine emergencies. Use local business lines for:

• Reporting utility outages (water, electricity) unless caused by an emergency like a car accident
• Reporting non-urgent crimes that occurred hours or days ago
• Asking for non-emergency numbers or directions (call 411 instead)
• Complaints about barking dogs or non-aggressive animals
• Inquiries about current situations or incidents

If you accidentally dial 911, stay on the line and answer the call taker's questions. The department receives many accidental calls daily and must verify whether an emergency exists.