The Plains, OH Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water data for The Plains, OH reveals a split picture — tap water quality varies meaningfully by service area and the city's grade reflects that variability.
How The Plains Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
The Plains Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 50% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.89 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving The Plains
With 3 utilities splitting service in The Plains, OH, water accountability is distributed across 3 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in The Plains, Ohio (population ~2,653), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 37,429 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in The Plains — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for The Plains: 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
The Plains water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for The Plains
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45780 | C | Athens Public Water System | 32,725 |
All ZIP Codes in The Plains
- 45780 [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.
CDC Health Data for The Plains
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
How Old Is The Plains's Housing Stock?
With 50% 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
The median home in The Plains was built in 1984 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in The Plains 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.
The Plains: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Across The Plains, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in The Plains are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 34% above the Ohio average.
Protecting Children from Lead in The Plains
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 50% of The Plains stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for The Plains
FEMA-designated flood zones cover a small share of The Plains's ZIP codes, and NFIP claim volume reflects that limited exposure. Flood-related water quality disruptions — overwhelmed treatment capacity, well contamination, backflow — are infrequent where flood events themselves are rare.
The Plains has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
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.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in The Plains
- 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 50% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for The Plains, OH