Brown County, Ohio
12 ZIP codes · Avg score 66/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Brown County, 12 tracked ZIP codes reveal moderate water quality — national standards are generally met, with some documented exceptions.
How Brown County Compares
How Brown County Compares
Brown County scores 6 points above the Ohio state average (60/100) and 2 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Brown County, Ohio
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15.9 (asthma 11.4%, diabetes 14.5%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,223, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.398% avg pipe failure probability, 33% of ZIPs at high risk
68.1% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Brown County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2022 with 8 violations. Past 5 years: 11 total (11 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,223
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
17,417 housing units in Brown County
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 Brown County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Brown 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 Brown County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Brown County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Orab Village Public Water System | 6,607 | 17 |
| 2 | Western Water Company | 39,508 | 9 |
| 3 | ADAMS COUNTY REGIONAL WD PWS | 21,810 | 8 |
| 4 | Fayetteville Village Public Water System | 309 | 8 |
| 5 | Blanchester Village Public Water System | 4,243 | 8 |
14 total water systems serve Brown County.
All ZIP Codes in Brown County
12 ZIP codes tracked in Brown County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 45154 | Mount Orab | 81 | B | 1 | $185K |
| 2 | 45171 | Sardinia | 81 | B | 8 (2 health) | $179K |
| 3 | 45118 | Fayetteville | 78 | B | 8 (1 health) | $226K |
| 4 | 45121 | Georgetown | 78 | B | 0 | $151K |
| 5 | 45167 | Ripley | 73 | B | 0 | $162K |
| 6 | 45130 | Hamersville | 72 | B | 0 | $229K |
| 7 | 45131 | Higginsport | 63 | C | 0 | $96K |
| 8 | 45101 | Aberdeen | 55 | C | 0 | $140K |
| 9 | 45115 | Decatur | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 10 | 45119 | Feesburg | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 11 | 45155 | Mowrystown | 53 | D | 0 | $82K |
| 12 | 45168 | Russellville | 53 | D | 0 | $158K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Brown County
Four sources — EPA, NSF, FEMA, CDC — drive the match.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 68.1% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Brown County, Ohio
Overview
Brown County in Ohio covers 12 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (66/100).
3 of 12 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Ohio water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.