Duncan Falls, OH: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Duncan Falls record elevated violation rates against OH benchmarks — residents in affected areas may want to check their local system's current compliance status.
How Duncan Falls Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Duncan Falls Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 81% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.5 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Duncan Falls
2 water utilities share the residential service territory in Duncan Falls, OH — out of 2 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Duncan Falls, Ohio (population ~1,824), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 22,514 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Duncan Falls — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Duncan Falls: 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
Duncan Falls water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Duncan Falls
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43734 | D | Muskingum County Water - Se | 21,540 |
All ZIP Codes in Duncan Falls
- 43734 [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.
CDC Health Data for Duncan Falls
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
How Old Is Duncan Falls's Housing Stock?
With 81% 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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Duncan Falls sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1964 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Duncan Falls 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.
Duncan Falls: Remediation Cost in Perspective
For most Duncan Falls homeowners, estimated remediation represents a moderate equity share — manageable with planning.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Duncan Falls. The estimated $1,900–$4,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 10% above the Ohio average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Duncan Falls
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.
Wherever 81% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Duncan Falls — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Duncan Falls
Insurance claims filed under FEMA's NFIP for Duncan Falls remain modest — consistent with limited flood exposure and an environment where flood-related water quality disruptions stay infrequent. The mechanisms connecting flooding to water safety are real but require event conditions that rarely appear at this claim volume.
Duncan Falls has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
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>$2,900</strong> remediation cost per household.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Duncan Falls
- 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 81% 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 Duncan Falls, OH