Akron, OH: 116 Violations — 59/100 (2026)
29 ZIP codes · 13 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Akron shows moderate tap water quality for OH — some areas carry documented EPA violations while others meet standards without issues.
How Akron Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Water Quality Map: Akron, OH
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Akron.
Akron Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 116 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0019 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,421 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.9 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Akron
Residential water service in Akron, OH is divided among 3 separate utilities, drawn from 13 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 29 ZIP codes in Akron, Ohio (population ~263,720), covering 13 community water systems serving approximately 502,139 people region-wide.
29 of 29 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Akron: C (59/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Akron water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0019 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 29 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 120 | 29 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44301 | C | 4 | 0 | AKRON CITY PWS |
| 44302 | C | 4 | 0 | AKRON CITY PWS |
| 44303 | C | 4 | 0 | AKRON CITY PWS |
| 44304 | C | 4 | 0 | AKRON CITY PWS |
| 44305 | C | 4 | 0 | AKRON CITY PWS |
| 44306 | C | 4 | 0 | AKRON CITY PWS |
| 44307 | C | 4 | 0 | AKRON CITY PWS |
| 44308 | C | 4 | 0 | AKRON CITY PWS |
| 44309 | C | 4 | 0 | Fairlane Water Company |
| 44310 | C | 4 | 0 | AKRON CITY PWS |
All ZIP Codes in Akron
- 44301 [C] — 4 violations
- 44302 [C] — 4 violations
- 44303 [C] — 4 violations
- 44304 [C] — 4 violations
- 44305 [C] — 4 violations
- 44306 [C] — 4 violations
- 44307 [C] — 4 violations
- 44308 [C] — 4 violations
- 44309 [C] — 4 violations
- 44310 [C] — 4 violations
- 44311 [C] — 4 violations
- 44312 [C] — 4 violations
- 44313 [C] — 4 violations
- 44314 [D] — 4 violations
- 44315 [C] — 4 violations
- 44316 [C] — 4 violations
- 44317 [C] — 4 violations
- 44319 [C] — 4 violations
- 44320 [C] — 4 violations
- 44321 [C] — 4 violations
- 44322 [C] — 4 violations
- 44325 [C] — 4 violations
- 44326 [C] — 4 violations
- 44328 [C] — 4 violations
- 44333 [D] — 4 violations
- 44372 [C] — 4 violations
- 44396 [C] — 4 violations
- 44398 [C] — 4 violations
- 44399 [C] — 4 violations
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Akron
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Akron
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Akron: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The cost-to-equity ratio for remediation in Akron is elevated — the financial planning challenge here is real and significant.
At 2.3% of home value, remediation costs in Akron represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,614–$3,224. Home values here are 44% below the Ohio average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Akron
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Lead risk in Akron appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Akron
Flood history in Akron spans 340 NFIP claims and 52% flood zone coverage — enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Akron has a moderate flood history with 340 FEMA claims averaging $11,164 per payout. 52% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,421</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Akron
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Akron's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Akron, OH