Columbus Public Water System
EPA ID: OH2504412 · 1,305,946 people served · 70 ZIP codes
Federal compliance records for Columbus Public Water System list 3 open violations that have not yet been resolved — the utility serves approximately 1,305,946 people, and each outstanding finding remains logged and active in the EPA enforcement database.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 46 (2022) to 54 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Columbus Public Water System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Columbus Public Water System serves a community with a median household income of $77,090 and an estimated 1,671,805 residents across its service area. Approximately 57% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 35% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Columbus Public Water System's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 1% of homes in Franklin County, Ohio rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Columbus Public Water System compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 2 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 329 detections recorded. 55 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Ohio
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
COLUMBUS PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM (EPA ID: OH2504412) is a community water system in Ohio that serves approximately 1,305,946 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 70 ZIP codes across 23 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (62/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2025 | Barium | Monitoring | Resolved |
| December 20, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Health-based | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Barium | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 25, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 21, 2023 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 3 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 3 | Yes |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | Yes |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 1 | No |
Health Risk Details
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (EPA limit: 0.06 mg/L)
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects At-risk groups: pregnant women, infants, long-term consumers of chlorinated municipal water.
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43123 | 0.0062 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43017 | 0.0031 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43082 | 0.0027 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43085 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43201 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43202 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43203 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43204 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43205 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43206 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43207 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43209 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43210 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43211 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43212 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43213 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43214 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43215 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43216 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 43217 | 0.0012 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: 55 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 15 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
This system serves 70 ZIP codes:
43002 · 43004 · 43015 · 43016 · 43017 43026 · 43031 · 43035 · 43054 · 43062 43064 · 43065 · 43068 · 43081 · 43082 43085 · 43103 · 43109 · 43110 · 43119 43123 · 43125 · 43137 · 43146 · 43147 43201 · 43202 · 43203 · 43204 · 43205 43206 · 43207 · 43209 · 43210 · 43211 43212 · 43213 · 43214 · 43215 · 43216 43217 · 43218 · 43219 · 43220 · 43221 43222 · 43223 · 43224 · 43226 · 43227 43228 · 43229 · 43230 · 43231 · 43232 43234 · 43235 · 43236 · 43240 · 43251 43260 · 43266 · 43268 · 43270 · 43271 43272 · 43279 · 43287 · 43291 · 43299
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Columbus Public Water System (OH2504412) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus Public Water System water safe to drink?
Columbus Public Water System has recorded 2 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does Columbus Public Water System serve?
Columbus Public Water System serves approximately 1,305,946 people across 70 ZIP codes in Ohio.
Where does Columbus Public Water System get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Columbus Public Water System (EPA ID: OH2504412) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.