Galion, OH: 4 Health Violations — 56/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Safe water is the norm across most of Galion, OH — but documented violations push the city to the middle safety tier.
How Galion Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Galion Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 8 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0004 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 83% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.5 — above typical levels.
Galion's Water Providers
3 independent water providers serve Galion, OH — 5 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Galion, Ohio (population ~16,641), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 211,560 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Galion: C (56/100)
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
Galion water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0004 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44833 | C | 8 | 4 | Galion City |
All ZIP Codes in Galion
- 44833 [C] — 8 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.
Galion 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 Galion's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Galion Infrastructure Age
With 83% 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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Galion's median build year of 1951 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Galion 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 Galion
Because estimated remediation claims a substantial fraction of typical Galion property equity, the household financial perspective here requires serious advance planning — the cost-to-value ratio is in the elevated tier and warrants structured preparation.
At 2.8% of home value, remediation costs in Galion represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,300–$5,600. Home values here are 30% below the Ohio average.
Galion: 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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 83% pre-rule share in Galion keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Galion: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Galion, that record documents 62 claims and 100% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.
Galion has a moderate flood history with 62 FEMA claims averaging $16,544 per payout. 100% 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>$3,600</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 Galion
- 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 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Galion's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 83% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Galion, OH