Olmsted Falls, OH Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Recent monitoring in Olmsted Falls shows middle-tier safety for OH — some systems are clean; others have logged EPA violations.
How Olmsted Falls Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Olmsted Falls Water
- Homes built before 1986: 48% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.6 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Olmsted Falls
3 independent water providers serve Olmsted Falls, OH — 3 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Olmsted Falls, Ohio (population ~23,129), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 1,400,869 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Olmsted Falls — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Olmsted Falls: C (55/100)
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
Olmsted Falls water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Olmsted Falls
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44138 | C | CLEVELAND PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM | 1,308,955 |
All ZIP Codes in Olmsted Falls
- 44138 [C]
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.
Health Outcomes in Olmsted 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
Housing & Infrastructure in Olmsted Falls
With 48% 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
Plumbing risk in residential housing tracks directly to construction era: pre-1986 homes may have lead-soldered copper joints; pre-1970 homes may have lead pipes outright. Olmsted Falls's median build year of 1982 places the city in a moderate risk zone where neither era dominates the housing inventory. Understanding which side of the 1986 threshold a specific property falls on — and whether it predates 1970 — is the most actionable starting point for a homeowner trying to assess their own tap water exposure.
Most homes in Olmsted Falls were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Olmsted Falls Homeowners
In Olmsted Falls, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Olmsted Falls are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,100–$3,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 30% above the Ohio average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Olmsted 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.
Older stock in Olmsted Falls represents 48% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Olmsted Falls
Flood risk in Olmsted Falls occupies the middle ground: 18 NFIP claims and 100% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality — treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow — become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.
Olmsted Falls has a moderate flood history with 18 FEMA claims averaging $6,583 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>$2,100</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 Olmsted 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 48% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Olmsted Falls, OH