Columbus, OH: 92 Health Violations — 63/100 (2026)
46 ZIP codes · 12 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current EPA data, Columbus, OH reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Columbus Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Columbus, OH
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Columbus's 46 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Columbus Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 322 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0012 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 74% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,667 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.18 — above typical levels.
Columbus's Water Providers
3 independent water providers serve Columbus, OH — 12 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 46 ZIP codes in Columbus, Ohio (population ~874,256), covering 12 community water systems serving approximately 1,615,419 people region-wide.
46 of 46 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 92 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Columbus: C (63/100)
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
Columbus water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0012 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): 46 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 | 141 | 46 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 94 | 46 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 47 | 46 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 47 | 46 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43085 | C | 7 | 2 | Columbus Public Water System |
| 43201 | C | 7 | 2 | Columbus Public Water System |
| 43202 | C | 7 | 2 | Columbus Public Water System |
| 43203 | C | 7 | 2 | Columbus Public Water System |
| 43204 | C | 7 | 2 | Columbus Public Water System |
| 43205 | C | 7 | 2 | Columbus Public Water System |
| 43206 | C | 7 | 2 | Columbus Public Water System |
| 43207 | C | 7 | 2 | Columbus Public Water System |
| 43209 | C | 7 | 2 | Columbus Public Water System |
| 43210 | C | 7 | 2 | Columbus Public Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Columbus
- 43085 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43201 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43202 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43203 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43204 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43205 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43206 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43207 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43209 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43210 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43211 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43212 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43213 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43214 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43215 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43216 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43217 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43218 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43219 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43220 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43221 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43222 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43223 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43224 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43226 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43227 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43228 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43229 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43230 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43231 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43232 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43234 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43235 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43236 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43240 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43251 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43260 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43266 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43268 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43270 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43271 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43272 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43279 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43287 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43291 [C] — 7 violations ⚠
- 43299 [C] — 7 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.
Columbus 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
What's in Columbus's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Columbus Infrastructure Age
With 74% 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 a city's housing median build year is 1963, as in Columbus, the implication for water quality research is straightforward: municipal-level data captures what leaves the treatment plant, but household plumbing from before 1986 determines what actually arrives at the tap. In cities where older housing predominates, that gap between system-level and household-level data is widest.
Over half of homes in Columbus 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 Columbus
What does remediation cost in financial context for Columbus homeowners? Proportionally very little — the equity share here is low, and addressing documented issues is a manageable planning question rather than a material financial burden.
Remediation costs in Columbus are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,727–$3,789 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 54% above the Ohio average.
Columbus: 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 74% of the Columbus 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.
Columbus: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
What does a high NFIP claim count mean for water quality in Columbus? The 929 documented claims reflect a flood history frequent enough that those infrastructure degradation pathways — treatment overload, well infiltration, backflow — have almost certainly been periodically activated. That record makes flood timing a relevant factor in local water quality assessment, particularly in the 57% of ZIP codes FEMA has designated as flood zones.
Columbus has a significant flood history with 929 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $4,648 per claim. With 57% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$2,667</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 Columbus
- 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 Columbus's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 74% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Columbus, OH