WaterVerge

Is Belle Center, OH Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A- — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓

834 residents served 1 water system PWSID: OH4600012
Overall Score
85.6 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#120 of 511 in Ohio Top 33% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
85.6/100
waterverge.com
A- 85.6/100

Belle Center, OH — Water Quality Report

Belle Center's drinking water received a grade of A- (85.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 834 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.7 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 2 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Belle Center's water

Belle Center ranks #120 out of 511 cities in Ohio for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

Belle Center relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

As a small community water system, Belle Center may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
85.6 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.6/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
16/20
B
Lead at 1.7 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
3/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Belle Center, OH water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Belle Center's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (85.6/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 834 residents using groundwater (wells).

1
Active Violations
1.7 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
1 event
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Belle Center

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Belle Center's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (85.6/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3250). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Belle Center's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.7 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Copper Exceeds Limit
Detected: 57.00 mg/L Limit: 1.3 mg/L (EPA Action Level)

Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.

Violation history

Belle Center's water system has 2 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remain unresolved.

MCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2014 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Logan County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Scioto River At Kenton, Indian Lake At Russells Point.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3250

Where does Belle Center's water come from?

Belle Center's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 834 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Scioto River At Kenton (river), Indian Lake At Russells Point (lake).

What Belle Center residents can do

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
1.7 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 11% of limit
Safe Level
Copper (90th percentile)
Inorganic
Over Limit
57.00 mg/L
EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L · +20% over limit
Exceeds Limit
Compliance Record

Violation summary

2
Total violations
1
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Jul 2014
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

2 Total
1 Active
1 Health-based
1 Resolved
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jul 2014 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jul 2014
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Belle Center

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Belle Center, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

Total reported releases to surface water: 17 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
HONDA DEVELOPMENT & MANUFACTURING OF AMERICA LLC - TRANSMIS
Transportation Equipment · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO INC
RUSSELLS POINT, OH43348
Nickel179.3 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

1
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Logan County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3250

Recommended water filters

Based on contaminants detected in Belle Center's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.

🔧
For Copper
Reverse Osmosis or KDF Filter
Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.7 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Copper (90th percentile) 57.00 1.3 mg/L Inorganic Over Limit
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has increased by 1.7 ppb from 1993 (0.0 ppb) to 2025 (1.7 ppb).

Copper level (90th percentile)

Latest reading: 57.000 mg/L (2005)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L

Contaminant Rankings

See how Belle Center compares by contaminant

Explore where Belle Center ranks among all Ohio cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
834
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Belle Center's water comes from

Groundwater

Belle Center's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 834 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Belle Center

Belle Center is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Scioto River At Kenton
river
Indian Lake At Russells Point
lake
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Belle Center

System Name PWSID Population Source
BELLE CENTER VILLAGE PWS OH4600012 834 GW
Regional Comparison

How Belle Center compares

Full Ohio rankings →

Belle Center's score of 85.6/100 is above the average of 58/100 among major Ohio cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Belle Center (this city)
85.6
Columbus
35.5
Cleveland
85.5
Cincinnati
36.8
Toledo
78
Kent
38.2
Ohio avg
58
City Profile

About Belle Center, OH

Wikipedia →

Belle Center is a village in Logan County, Ohio, United States. The population was 809 at the 2020 census. It is a Tree City USA, one of the smallest in the state.

Economic Profile
$57,031
Median Income
$118,451
Median Home Value
$968/mo
Median Rent
6.6%
Unemployment
Community
34.4
Median Age
392
People / sq mi
8.1%
College Educated
69%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Belle Center, OH tap water safe to drink?

Belle Center's water quality earned a grade of A- (85.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #120 out of 511 cities tested in Ohio.

What contaminants are in Belle Center's water?

Lead was measured at 1.7 ppb (90th percentile). 2 violations are on record.

How is Belle Center'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 Belle Center?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Belle Center's water come from?

Belle Center's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 834 residents.

What health violations has Belle Center's water system had?

Belle Center has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2014. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.

Is Belle Center's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Belle Center uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 2 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Belle Center's water compare to other cities?

Belle Center ranks #120 out of 511 cities in Ohio (better than 77% of state cities) and #5235 out of 15744 cities nationally (67th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Belle Center's small water system affect quality?

Belle Center's system serves approximately 834 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 2 violations on record.