Little Hocking, OH Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Little Hocking hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in OH with few health-based violations on file.
How Little Hocking Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Little Hocking Residents
- Average lead level: 0.0042 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 68% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.58 — above typical levels.
Little Hocking's Water Providers
Little Hocking, OH draws its residential water from 2 separate providers among the 2 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Little Hocking, Ohio (population ~3,447), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 16,333 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Little Hocking — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Little Hocking: B (83/100)
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
Little Hocking water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0042 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45742 | B | Little Hocking Water Association, Inc. | 9,892 |
All ZIP Codes in Little Hocking
- 45742 [B]
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.
Little Hocking 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
Little Hocking Infrastructure Age
With 68% 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
What does a median build year of 1974 mean for water safety in Little Hocking? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Little Hocking 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 Little Hocking
The Little Hocking equity share sits above the low tier but short of the range where remediation becomes a heavy financial burden — the cost-to-value ratio is moderate, and deliberate planning is the key practical lever for most homeowners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Little Hocking. The estimated $1,200–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 5% below the Ohio average.
Little Hocking: 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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 68% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Little Hocking.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Little Hocking: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
FEMA data shows 100% of Little Hocking's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 4 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Little Hocking has a moderate flood history with 4 FEMA claims averaging $21,278 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>$2,200</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Little Hocking, OH