Clay Center, OH Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Clay Center ranks below average for tap water safety in OH — health-based violations are documented across multiple service areas in recent EPA monitoring data.
How Clay Center Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Clay Center Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 84% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.79 — above typical levels.
Clay Center's Water Providers
A single dominant system supplies most of Clay Center, OH. That utility controls infrastructure decisions, rate structures, and EPA compliance reporting for most residential addresses served across those 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Clay Center, Ohio (population ~365), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,110 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Clay Center — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Clay Center: D (53/100)
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
Clay Center water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Clay Center
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43408 | D | GENOA VILLAGE | 3,110 |
All ZIP Codes in Clay Center
- 43408 [D]
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.
Clay Center Community Health Snapshot
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
Clay Center Infrastructure Age
With 84% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Clay Center's median build year of 1901 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Clay Center were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Clay Center
In Clay Center, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small — not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Clay Center are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 34% below the Ohio average.
Clay Center: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
After the federal action removing lead-bearing solder from new plumbing took effect, building practice shifted — but 84% of the Clay Center inventory predates that line. With aggregate samples near or beyond 0.015 mg/L, an in-home check moves out of the optional column into the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Clay Center
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 84% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Clay Center, OH