CITY REPORT OH

Ripley, OH Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Water utilities in Ripley have maintained a consistent compliance record over recent monitoring periods — the city's above-average grade in OH reflects low violation rates and no systemic health concerns flagged in current data.

How Ripley Compares

Ripley73/100
Ohio avg60/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
2
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
B · 73
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
Radon Risk (Moderate)
$162K
Median Home Value
$1,600
Est. Remediation (1.0% of home value)

Key Facts for Ripley Residents

  • Average lead level: 0.0007 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 78% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 15.94 — above typical levels.

Ripley's Water Providers

Residential addresses in Ripley, OH are served by 2 primary water providers out of 2 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.

Brown County Rural Water
Serves ~32,090 people
73
/100
ADAMS COUNTY REGIONAL WD PWS
Serves ~21,810 people
73
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ripley, Ohio (population ~3,379), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 53,900 people region-wide.

No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Ripley — an excellent indicator of water quality.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Ripley: B (73/100)

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

Ripley water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0007 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
45167 B ADAMS COUNTY REGIONAL WD PWS 21,810

All ZIP Codes in Ripley

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Ripley Community Health Snapshot

11.4%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
14.5%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
18.9%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 11.4% ↑
Diabetes 14.5% ↑
Mental Health 18.9% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Ripley Infrastructure Age

1957
Median Build Year
78%
Built Before 1986
56%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

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

For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Ripley, the median build year of 1957 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.

1957
Median Year Built
78%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
56%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (56%) 1970–1986 (22%) Post-1986 (22%)

Over half of homes in Ripley 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 Ripley

Low proportionality — that's the Ripley picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.

Median Home Value
$162,300
Est. Remediation
$1,600
Remediation as % of home value 1.0%

Remediation costs in Ripley are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 12% below the Ohio average.

Ripley: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

78%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0007
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

78% of Ripley housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Ripley: Flood History & Water Damage Risk

NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Ripley accumulating 102 claims and carrying 100% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.

102
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$13,012
Avg Claim Payout
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones
~5
Est. Claims/Year

Ripley has a moderate flood history with 102 FEMA claims averaging $13,012 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>$1,600</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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Ripley, OH?
Ripley has an average water safety score of 73/100 (Grade B). No EPA violations on record. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
Does Ripley water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Ripley is 0.0007 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Ripley compare to Ohio average?
Ripley has an average water safety score of 73/100, which is above the Ohio state average of 60/100.
How many water systems serve Ripley?
Ripley is served by 2 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 3,379 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Ripley?
Estimated remediation costs in Ripley average $1,600 per household, ranging from $800 to $2,600. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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