Martins Ferry, OH: 4 Health Violations - Home Safety 33/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Martins Ferry: F.
Federal data flags serious home-safety risks for this ZIP.
Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. NSF certified filters →
Martins Ferry ranks below average for tap water safety in OH - health-based violations are documented across multiple service areas in recent EPA monitoring data.
How Martins Ferry Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Martins Ferry Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 34 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0048 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 94% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.56 - above typical levels.
Martins Ferry's Water Providers
Structurally, Martins Ferry, OH's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 5 water systems in the area, with 3 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
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Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Martins Ferry, Ohio (population ~7,918), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 44,099 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Martins Ferry: F (33/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Martins Ferry water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0048 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 12 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43935 | F | 34 | 4 | Martins Ferry Public Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Martins Ferry
- 43935 [F] - 34 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Martins Ferry 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 Martins Ferry's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Martins Ferry Infrastructure Age
With 94% 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 1958, as in Martins Ferry, 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 Martins Ferry 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 Martins Ferry
Given that Martins Ferry falls in the elevated cost-to-value tier, the equity impact of documented remediation is a real financial planning challenge for most homeowners.
At 3.5% of home value, remediation costs in Martins Ferry represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,400–$4,800. Home values here are 45% below the Ohio average.
Martins Ferry: 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 94% of the Martins Ferry 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.
Martins Ferry: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Martins Ferry contains 50 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $27,896. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$3,600</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Martins Ferry
- 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 Martins Ferry's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 94% 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 Martins Ferry, OH