COUNTY REPORT OH

Adams County, Ohio

13 ZIP codes · Avg score 50/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03

Water systems serving Adams County's 13 ZIP codes record elevated violation rates — residents in affected areas may want to verify their local system's current status.

How Adams County Compares

Adams County50/100
Ohio avg60/100
National avg68/100

How Adams County Compares

D
County Grade
50/100
Avg Safety Score
13
ZIP Codes
9
Water Systems

Adams County scores 10 points below the Ohio state average (60/100) and 18 points below the national average (68/100).

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

D
County Grade
50
Avg Safety Score
13
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 45660 (66/100)
Lowest ZIP: 45697 (40/100)
$159K
Median Home Value
$2,162
Avg Remediation (136% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Adams County, Ohio

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 16.4 (asthma 11.7%, diabetes 15.6%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $993, driven primarily by flood

Infrastructure: 0.372% avg pipe failure probability, 33% of ZIPs at high risk

63.4% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2022–2024)

→ Stable trend

EPA violation counts by year across Adams County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.

2022
2 (2 health)
2024
4 (4 health)

Peak year: 2024 with 4 violations. Past 5 years: 6 total (6 health-based).

Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 11.7% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 15.6% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 41.3% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1985
Median Build Year
63.4%
Pre-1978 Housing
37%
Pipe Failure Probability
33%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Low
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $993

Flood $385/yr
Energy Code Gap $332/yr
Water / Lead $196/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

15,657 housing units in Adams County

Pre-1940 15%
1940–1959 11%
1960–1979 20%
1980–1999 34%
2000+ 20%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).

Water Safety Affordability

How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Adams County

$159K
Median Home Value
$2,162
Est. Remediation Cost
1.4%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Adams County, representing a small fraction of property value.

Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.

Health Outcomes vs National Average

CDC PLACES data for Adams County residents

Asthma 11.7% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 15.6% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 41.3% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 5 systems in Adams County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 ADAMS COUNTY REGIONAL WD PWS 21,810 12
2 West Union Public Water System 3,670 9
3 MANCHESTER VILLAGE 2,043 7
4 WINCHESTER PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM 1,052 3
5 Seaman Village Public Water System 944 3

9 total water systems serve Adams County.

All ZIP Codes in Adams County

13 ZIP codes tracked in Adams County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 45660 Peebles 66 C 2 $159K
2 45679 Seaman 66 C 1 $161K
3 45693 West Union 64 C 2 (1 health) $171K
4 45144 Manchester 56 C 7 (1 health) $121K
5 45650 Lynx 53 D 0 $93K
6 45657 Otway 53 D 0 $123K
7 45671 Rarden 53 D 0
8 45105 Bentonville 40 D 0
9 45172 Sinking Spring 40 D 0 $129K
10 45616 Blue Creek 40 D 0 $182K
11 45618 Cherry Fork 40 D 0
12 45646 Latham 40 D 0
13 45697 Winchester 40 D 0 $195K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Adams County

Filtered against federal data, fitted to local risks.

Overview

Adams County in Ohio covers 13 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (50/100).

4 of 13 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Ohio water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

What You Can Do

Adams County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.

1

Test your tap water

Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.

2

Consider a certified water filter

NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher

3

Contact your water utility

Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.

4

Check for lead in your home

63.4% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Adams County?
Adams County receives a grade of D. 2 of 13 ZIP codes have health-based violations. Independent water testing is recommended.
How many water systems serve Adams County?
Adams County is served by 9 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 13 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Adams County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Adams County is flood. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $993 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Adams County?
The median home build year in Adams County is 1985. 63.4% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Adams County compare to Ohio?
Adams County has an average water safety score of 50/100, which is below the Ohio state average of 60/100.

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