Toledo, OH: 31 Health Violations - 73/100 (2026)
31 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Toledo: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (31 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
EPA compliance records for Toledo tell a largely clear story: violation rates are low, health-based exceedances are uncommon, and the city's grade puts it well above average within OH.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
Toledo Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 93 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.007 mg/L.
Water Quality in Toledo
We track water quality and home safety data for 31 ZIP codes in Toledo, Ohio, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 299,334 people.
31 of 31 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 93 total, including 31 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: B (73/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 31 | 31 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 31 | 31 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 31 | 31 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0070 mg/L
- 87% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 44% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1941
- Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 73/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 24%
- 15 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 87% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Toledo residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
146,186 total housing units across 31 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 43,876 | 30% |
| 1940–1949 | 13,343 | 9% |
| 1950–1959 | 25,449 | 17% |
| 1960–1969 | 17,471 | 12% |
| 1970–1979 | 19,233 | 13% |
| 1980–1989 | 10,451 | 7% |
| 1990–1999 | 8,252 | 6% |
| 2000–2009 | 4,894 | 3% |
| 2010–2019 | 2,969 | 2% |
| 2020+ | 248 | 0% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Toledo:
- 877 flood insurance claims on record
- $5,368,163 total paid out
- $6,121 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: AE (High risk)
- 11 of 31 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 31 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43603 | 77/100 | B | 3 |
| 43604 | 77/100 | B | 3 |
| 43608 | 77/100 | B | 3 |
| 43610 | 77/100 | B | 3 |
| 43617 | 77/100 | B | 3 |
| 43620 | 77/100 | B | 3 |
| 43601 | 75/100 | B | 3 |
| 43635 | 75/100 | B | 3 |
| 43652 | 75/100 | B | 3 |
| 43654 | 75/100 | B | 3 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43623 | 67/100 | C | 3 |
| 43615 | 67/100 | C | 3 |
| 43613 | 67/100 | C | 3 |
| 43612 | 67/100 | C | 3 |
| 43611 | 67/100 | C | 3 |
| 43609 | 67/100 | C | 3 |
| 43614 | 72/100 | B | 3 |
| 43607 | 72/100 | B | 3 |
| 43606 | 72/100 | B | 3 |
| 43605 | 72/100 | B | 3 |
What Toledo Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Toledo has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Test for Radon
- Toledo is in a moderate-risk radon area
- Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
- If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Toledo
- 43601 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43603 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43604 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43605 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43606 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43607 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43608 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43609 [C] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43610 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43611 [C] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43612 [C] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43613 [C] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43614 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43615 [C] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43617 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43620 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43623 [C] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43635 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43652 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43654 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43656 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43657 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43659 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43660 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43661 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43666 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43667 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43681 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43682 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43697 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 43699 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Toledo, OH?
Toledo has an average Home Safety Score of 73/100 (grade B) across 31 ZIP codes. There are 93 recorded EPA violations, 31 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Toledo have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Toledo is 0.0070 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 87% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Toledo at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 877 flood insurance claims in Toledo ZIP codes, with an average payout of $6,121. 11 of 31 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Toledo homes?
87% of Toledo housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 44% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 24%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Toledo water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Surface Water Treatment Rule, Fecal Coliform. Across 31 ZIP codes, 31 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
How Old Is Toledo's Housing Stock?
Median build year of 1941 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Banned from residential plumbing in 1986, lead solder was a near-universal feature of copper plumbing before that cutoff. In Toledo, where the median build year is 1941, the majority of housing falls into the post-ban category - though the older fraction of the stock still carries the residual risk that comes with pre-1986 pipe and solder materials.
Most homes in Toledo 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in Toledo
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.
Lead risk in Toledo appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Toledo
Flood history in Toledo spans 877 NFIP claims and 0% flood zone coverage - enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Toledo has a moderate flood history with 877 FEMA claims. 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.
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 Toledo, OH