CITY REPORT OH

Vermilion, OH: 1 Violation — 68/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Across Vermilion, EPA compliance data for OH sits at a moderate level — not alarming, but not uniformly clean across all service areas either.

How Vermilion Compares

Vermilion68/100
Ohio avg60/100
National avg67/100

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

1
ZIP Codes
4
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
C · 68
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
Radon Risk (Moderate)
$198K
Median Home Value
$1,600
Est. Remediation (0.8% of home value)

What You Should Know About Vermilion Water

  • Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 70% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 15.01 — above typical levels.

Who Supplies Your Water in Vermilion

In Vermilion, OH, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 4 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.

Rural Lorain Company Water a
Serves ~73,125 people · 1 violation
68
/100
Vermilion City
Serves ~10,569 people · 1 violation
68
/100
Erie Company Margaretta District
Serves ~5,131 people · 1 violation
68
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Vermilion, Ohio (population ~15,873), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 90,538 people region-wide.

1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Vermilion: C (68/100)

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

Vermilion water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 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.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 2 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
44089 C 1 0 Vermilion City

All ZIP Codes in Vermilion

  • 44089 [C] — 1 violation

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Health Outcomes in Vermilion

10.9%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
14.4%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
16.8%
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 10.9% ↑
Diabetes 14.4% ↑
Mental Health 16.8% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Top Contaminants in Vermilion Water

Surface Water Treatment Rule 2 violations
Treatment Technique
Pathogens may not be adequately removed

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

Housing & Infrastructure in Vermilion

1960
Median Build Year
70%
Built Before 1986
29%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 70% 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 Vermilion, the median build year of 1960 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.

1960
Median Year Built
70%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
29%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (29%) 1970–1986 (41%) Post-1986 (30%)

Over half of homes in Vermilion 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.

Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Vermilion Homeowners

Within the Vermilion market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.

Median Home Value
$197,900
Est. Remediation
$1,600
Remediation as % of home value 0.8%

Remediation costs in Vermilion are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 8% above the Ohio average.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Vermilion

70%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.002
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.

Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 70% of the Vermilion inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.

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

Flood & Climate Risk in Vermilion

Flood exposure in Vermilion is meaningful by NFIP measures — 423 claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.

423
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$10,400
Avg Claim Payout
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones
~21
Est. Claims/Year

Vermilion has a moderate flood history with 423 FEMA claims averaging $10,400 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.

What You Can Do in Vermilion

  1. 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.
  2. Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Vermilion's water.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 70% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Vermilion, OH?
Vermilion has an average water safety score of 68/100 (Grade C). 1 EPA violation has been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does Vermilion have?
Vermilion water systems have a total of 1 EPA violation. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
Does Vermilion water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Vermilion is 0.002 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 Vermilion compare to Ohio average?
Vermilion has an average water safety score of 68/100, which is above the Ohio state average of 60/100.
How many water systems serve Vermilion?
Vermilion is served by 4 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 15,873 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Vermilion?
Estimated remediation costs in Vermilion 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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