Cleveland, OH: 41 Violations - 79/100 (2026)
41 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Cleveland: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
The water systems supplying Cleveland show a track record of above-average compliance with federal standards - consistently among the better performers in OH.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
What You Should Know About Cleveland Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 41 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0017 mg/L.
Water Quality in Cleveland
We track water quality and home safety data for 41 ZIP codes in Cleveland, Ohio (population ~734,002), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,359,897 people region-wide.
41 of 41 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 41 total, including no health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: B (79/100)
Water sources: Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 41 | 41 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0017 mg/L
- 88% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 47% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1934
- Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 59/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 25%
- 28 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 88% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Cleveland residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
375,927 total housing units across 41 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 135,564 | 36% |
| 1940–1949 | 41,407 | 11% |
| 1950–1959 | 73,529 | 20% |
| 1960–1969 | 47,708 | 13% |
| 1970–1979 | 28,767 | 8% |
| 1980–1989 | 13,277 | 4% |
| 1990–1999 | 14,354 | 4% |
| 2000–2009 | 11,765 | 3% |
| 2010–2019 | 8,772 | 2% |
| 2020+ | 784 | 0% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Cleveland:
- 804 flood insurance claims on record
- $12,134,260 total paid out
- $15,092 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: C (Low risk)
- 8 of 41 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 41 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44101 | 81/100 | B | 1 |
| 44102 | 81/100 | B | 1 |
| 44103 | 81/100 | B | 1 |
| 44104 | 81/100 | B | 1 |
| 44106 | 81/100 | B | 1 |
| 44108 | 81/100 | B | 1 |
| 44110 | 81/100 | B | 1 |
| 44111 | 81/100 | B | 1 |
| 44112 | 81/100 | B | 1 |
| 44113 | 81/100 | B | 1 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44125 | 66/100 | C | 1 |
| 44130 | 71/100 | B | 1 |
| 44144 | 76/100 | B | 1 |
| 44143 | 76/100 | B | 1 |
| 44134 | 76/100 | B | 1 |
| 44128 | 76/100 | B | 1 |
| 44124 | 76/100 | B | 1 |
| 44121 | 76/100 | B | 1 |
| 44120 | 76/100 | B | 1 |
| 44119 | 76/100 | B | 1 |
What Cleveland Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Cleveland has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Test for Radon
- Cleveland is in a moderate-risk radon area
- Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
- If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Cleveland
- 44101 [B] - 1 violation
- 44102 [B] - 1 violation
- 44103 [B] - 1 violation
- 44104 [B] - 1 violation
- 44105 [B] - 1 violation
- 44106 [B] - 1 violation
- 44108 [B] - 1 violation
- 44109 [B] - 1 violation
- 44110 [B] - 1 violation
- 44111 [B] - 1 violation
- 44112 [B] - 1 violation
- 44113 [B] - 1 violation
- 44114 [B] - 1 violation
- 44115 [B] - 1 violation
- 44118 [B] - 1 violation
- 44119 [B] - 1 violation
- 44120 [B] - 1 violation
- 44121 [B] - 1 violation
- 44124 [B] - 1 violation
- 44125 [C] - 1 violation
- 44126 [B] - 1 violation
- 44127 [B] - 1 violation
- 44128 [B] - 1 violation
- 44129 [B] - 1 violation
- 44130 [B] - 1 violation
- 44134 [B] - 1 violation
- 44135 [B] - 1 violation
- 44143 [B] - 1 violation
- 44144 [B] - 1 violation
- 44181 [B] - 1 violation
- 44188 [B] - 1 violation
- 44189 [B] - 1 violation
- 44190 [B] - 1 violation
- 44191 [B] - 1 violation
- 44192 [B] - 1 violation
- 44193 [B] - 1 violation
- 44194 [B] - 1 violation
- 44195 [B] - 1 violation
- 44197 [B] - 1 violation
- 44198 [B] - 1 violation
- 44199 [B] - 1 violation
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Cleveland, OH?
Cleveland has an average Home Safety Score of 79/100 (grade B) across 41 ZIP codes. There are 41 recorded EPA violations, 0 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Cleveland have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Cleveland is 0.0017 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 88% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Cleveland at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 804 flood insurance claims in Cleveland ZIP codes, with an average payout of $15,092. 8 of 41 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Cleveland homes?
88% of Cleveland housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 47% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 25%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Cleveland water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Stage 1 DBP Rule. Across 41 ZIP codes, 41 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Housing & Infrastructure in Cleveland
Median build year of 1934 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Although a small portion of Cleveland's homes predate 1986, the median build year of 1934 indicates the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed after lead solder was banned - which tends to reduce the plumbing-related component of lead exposure at the household level.
Most homes in Cleveland were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Cleveland
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 Cleveland 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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Cleveland
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Cleveland has accumulated 804 claims - a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 0% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Cleveland has a moderate flood history with 804 FEMA claims. 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.
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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cleveland, OH