01The verdict: is Buckeye Lake water safe?
Buckeye Lake's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (80.9/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 6,893 residents using groundwater (wells).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 1.76 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 0.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓1 violation 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 ↓Buckeye Lake's drinking water received a grade of B+ (80.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 6,893 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 23 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved.
Buckeye Lake ranks #246 out of 511 cities in Ohio for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Buckeye Lake purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
02What's in Buckeye Lake's water
Every contaminant flagged in Buckeye Lake, 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.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L
Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.76 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
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
03Buckeye Lake'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 23 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved.
6 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 13 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 1.4 ppb (2025) — 9% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
▲ Up 0.04 mg/L since 2011. The latest reading (1.8 mg/L, 2013) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Buckeye Lake's water comes from
Buckeye Lake purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
3 systems
3 water systems, operated under private ownership.
6,893 people
Residents served across Buckeye Lake's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Buckeye Lake's local distribution pipes and storage facilities. Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment. The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 6,893 people through 3 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| LICKING COUNTY HARBOR HILLS PWS | OH4500812 | 3,415 | Purchased Groundwater |
| BUCKEYE LAKE, VILLAGE OF PWS | OH4564712 | 2,746 | Purchased Groundwater |
| LICKING COUNTY PRESCOTT ESTATES | OH4501712 | 732 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Buckeye Lake
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Buckeye Lake'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
5 facilities within 10 miles reported 61 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
3 federal disaster declarations on record for Licking County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Buckeye Lake compares
Scores for nearby Ohio cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Ohio average (58/100)
Buckeye Lake scores 80.9/100 — above the Ohio average of 58/100. It outscores 9 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 Buckeye Lake's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Buckeye Lake alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Buckeye Lake, OH tap water safe to drink?
Buckeye Lake's water quality earned a grade of B+ (80.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #246 out of 511 cities tested in Ohio.
What contaminants are in Buckeye Lake's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 23 violations are on record.
How is Buckeye Lake'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 Buckeye Lake?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Buckeye Lake's water come from?
Buckeye Lake's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 6,893 residents.
What health violations has Buckeye Lake's water system had?
Buckeye Lake has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 11 violations remain unresolved.
Is Buckeye Lake's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Buckeye Lake 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 23 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 Buckeye Lake's water compare to other cities?
Buckeye Lake ranks #246 out of 511 cities in Ohio (better than 52% of state cities) and #7567 out of 15382 cities nationally (51th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.