Lima, OH: 12 Health Violations — 63/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Lima's water quality grade in OH reflects a middle-ground assessment — service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
How Lima Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Lima, OH
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Lima.
Lima Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 78 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 78% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,933 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.8 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Lima
Residential water service in Lima, OH is divided among 3 separate utilities, drawn from 6 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Lima, Ohio, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 82,983 people.
6 of 6 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 12 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lima: 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
Lima water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0001 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): 6 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 | 49 | 6 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 14 | 6 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 14 | 6 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 7 | 6 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 7 | 6 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45801 | C | 13 | 2 | Lima City |
| 45802 | C | 13 | 2 | Lima City |
| 45804 | C | 13 | 2 | Lima City |
| 45805 | C | 13 | 2 | Lima City |
| 45806 | C | 13 | 2 | Lima City |
| 45807 | C | 13 | 2 | Lima City |
All ZIP Codes in Lima
- 45801 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 45802 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 45804 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 45805 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 45806 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 45807 [C] — 13 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.
CDC Health Data for Lima
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Lima
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Lima's Housing Stock?
With 78% 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
Decades of residential development in Lima took place before the two main regulatory milestones that reduced plumbing-era lead risk: the phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, and the federal ban on lead solder in 1986. With a median build year of 1964, the housing stock here is anchored in that earlier period. The distinction between pre-1970 and 1970-to-1986 construction matters: the oldest homes may have lead pipes in the service line and lead solder in the copper joints, while the 1970-to-1986 tier still carries the solder risk even after lead pipes became less common. Together, these two risk layers affect a majority of the residential properties in the city — a fact the aggregate water quality data doesn't directly reveal.
Over half of homes in Lima 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.
Lima: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Given current Lima property values, the remediation share falls in the moderate tier — an indicator that the household financial perspective here calls for advance planning rather than dismissal, with most homeowners positioned to address documented issues through deliberate budgeting rather than needing to treat remediation as a significant equity event or financial emergency.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Lima. The estimated $1,883–$4,250 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 16% below the Ohio average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Lima
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 78% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Lima — 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 Lima
Although Lima's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 139 claims and FEMA maps place 83% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones — a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.
Lima has a moderate flood history with 139 FEMA claims averaging $16,494 per payout. 83% 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>$2,933</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 Lima
- 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 Lima's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 78% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Lima, OH