01The verdict: is Attica water safe?
Attica's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C- (57.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,148 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Chlorate is over its legal limit
Measured at 287.2 µg/L against the EPA Lifetime HA of 210 µg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓1K people, 1 system
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓17 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Attica's drinking water received a grade of C- (57.5 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,148 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 5.6 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 91 violations on record, including 32 health-based violations. 15 remain unresolved.
Attica ranks #469 out of 511 cities in Ohio for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 1.45 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Attica may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 17 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Attica's water
Every contaminant flagged in Attica, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 5.6 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Ohio
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Ohio
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Attica's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 91 violations on record, including 32 health-based violations. 15 remain unresolved.
4 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 4.1 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 5.6 ppb (2025) — 37% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Attica's water comes from
Attica's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
1,148 people
Residents served across Attica's service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,148 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATTICA VILLAGE | OH7400011 | 1,148 | Surface Water |
05Pressure on Attica's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
4 facilities within 10 miles reported 8 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
1 federal disaster declaration on record for Seneca County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Attica compares
Scores for nearby Ohio cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Ohio average (58/100)
Attica scores 57.5/100 — on par with the Ohio average of 58/100. It outscores 4 of 10 nearby cities. Full Ohio rankings →
35.5 / 100ACleveland, OH
85.5 / 100FCincinnati, OH
36.8 / 100BToledo, OH
78 / 100FKent, OH
38.2 / 100CKettering, OH
64.6 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Attica's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 5.6 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Attica alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Attica, OH tap water safe to drink?
Attica's water quality earned a grade of C- (57.5/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #469 out of 511 cities tested in Ohio.
What contaminants are in Attica's water?
Lead was measured at 5.6 ppb (90th percentile). 91 violations are on record.
How is Attica's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Attica?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Attica's water come from?
Attica's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,148 residents.
What health violations has Attica's water system had?
Attica has 32 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 15 violations remain unresolved.
How does Attica's water compare to other cities?
Attica ranks #469 out of 511 cities in Ohio (better than 8% of state cities) and #12156 out of 15382 cities nationally (21th percentile). The grade of C- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Attica's small water system affect quality?
Attica's system serves approximately 1,148 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 91 violations on record.