Van Buren, OH Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water quality in Van Buren has lagged behind OH benchmarks — documented violations keep the safety grade low.
How Van Buren Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Van Buren Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 64% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.67 — above typical levels.
Van Buren's Water Providers
2 water systems are tracked federally in Van Buren, OH. The top 2 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Van Buren, Ohio (population ~1,849), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 57,472 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Van Buren — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Van Buren: D (53/100)
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
Van Buren water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Van Buren
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45889 | D | Findlay City | 54,040 |
All ZIP Codes in Van Buren
- 45889 [D]
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.
Van Buren 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
Van Buren Infrastructure Age
With 64% 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
Van Buren's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1962 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in Van Buren 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 Van Buren
Setting Van Buren remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier — a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in Van Buren are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 23% above the Ohio average.
Van Buren: 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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 64% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Van Buren.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Van Buren
- 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 64% 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 Van Buren, OH