Guernsey County, Ohio
13 ZIP codes · Avg score 50/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water quality in Guernsey County has lagged behind state benchmarks — multiple documented violations across 13 ZIP codes keep the county's grade low.
How Guernsey County Compares
How Guernsey County Compares
Guernsey 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
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Guernsey County, Ohio
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15.7 (asthma 11.2%, diabetes 15%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,370, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.377% avg pipe failure probability, 38% of ZIPs at high risk
60.9% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
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: $1,370
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
18,161 housing units in Guernsey 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 Guernsey County
Water safety remediation is a moderate expense relative to home values. Most homeowners can address issues through staged improvements over time.
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 Guernsey 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 Guernsey County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Byesville | 5,104 | 7 |
| 2 | PLEASANT CITY, VILLAGE OF | 447 | 2 |
| 3 | City of Cambridge, | 10,520 | 2 |
| 4 | Guernsey Company Water Department | 8,891 | 2 |
| 5 | Western Guernsey Regional Water District | 3,225 | 2 |
8 total water systems serve Guernsey County.
All ZIP Codes in Guernsey County
13 ZIP codes tracked in Guernsey County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 43772 | Pleasant City | 65 | C | 0 | $117K |
| 2 | 43725 | Cambridge | 59 | C | 2 (1 health) | $160K |
| 3 | 43723 | Byesville | 54 | D | 7 (3 health) | $109K |
| 4 | 43732 | Cumberland | 53 | D | 0 | $132K |
| 5 | 43733 | Derwent | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 6 | 43750 | Kipling | 53 | D | 0 | $81K |
| 7 | 43780 | Senecaville | 53 | D | 0 | $200K |
| 8 | 43773 | Quaker City | 50 | D | 1 | $123K |
| 9 | 43755 | Lore City | 45 | D | 0 | $184K |
| 10 | 43722 | Buffalo | 40 | D | 0 | $127K |
| 11 | 43736 | Fairview | 40 | D | 0 | $90K |
| 12 | 43768 | Old Washington | 40 | D | 0 | $146K |
| 13 | 43778 | Salesville | 40 | D | 0 | $203K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Guernsey County
Eight risk categories drive the selection — PFAS exceedance, lead above EPA action level, pre-1978 housing share, EPA Radon Zone 1, flood-top-risk, wildfire-top-risk, multi-contaminant load, and a baseline fallback — and each category maps to a specific buyer-guide track that surfaces when the county data hits its threshold for that hazard signal.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 60.9% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
- 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 Guernsey County, Ohio
Overview
Guernsey County in Ohio covers 13 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (50/100).
3 of 13 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 4 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.
What You Can Do
Guernsey County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
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.
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
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.
Check for lead in your home
60.9% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.