Is Coolville, OH Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B- — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
72.6/100
waterverge.com Coolville, OH — Water Quality Report
Coolville's drinking water received a grade of B- (72.6 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 859 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.8 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 24 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 14 remain unresolved.
What to know about Coolville's water
Coolville ranks #394 out of 511 cities in Ohio for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
Coolville purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
As a small community water system, Coolville may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 7 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Coolville, OH water safe to drink?
Coolville's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (72.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 859 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Coolville
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Coolville's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (72.6/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule, Revised Total Coliform Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4424). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4360). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Coolville's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.
Violation history
Coolville's water system has 24 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 14 remain unresolved. 7 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Athens County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1968. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Coolville's water come from?
Coolville's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 859 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Coolville residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Coolville's water.
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.
Coolville's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Coolville
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Coolville, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 818,954 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
CHEMOURS WASHINGTON WORKS WASHINGTON, WV26181 | Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution) | 818,921 | 8.3 mi |
NORTHWEST PIPE CO WASHINGTON, WV26181 | Manganese | 33 | 6.7 mi |
ORION ENGINEERED CARBONS BELPRE BELPRE, OH45714 | — | — | 9.2 mi |
DELRIN USA LLC WASHINGTON, WV26181 | — | — | 8.3 mi |
CELANESE POLYMER PRODUCTS LLC WASHINGTON, WV26181 | — | — | 8.3 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Athens County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1968. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Coolville's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
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. | 2.8 | 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. | 121.00 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
Copper level (90th percentile)
Latest reading: 121.000 mg/L (2005)
EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L
See how Coolville compares by contaminant
Explore where Coolville ranks among all Ohio cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Coolville's water comes from
Coolville purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Coolville'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 local government ownership and serves approximately 859 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Coolville
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| COOLVILLE VILLAGE PWS | OH0500603 | 859 | GWP |
How Coolville compares
Full Ohio rankings →Coolville's score of 72.6/100 is above the average of 58/100 among major Ohio cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Ohio rankings →About Coolville, OH
Wikipedia →Coolville is a village located in Troy Township, Athens County, Ohio, United States, in the southeast area of the state. The population was 452 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Coolville's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Athens
Frequently asked questions
Is Coolville, OH tap water safe to drink?
Coolville's water quality earned a grade of B- (72.6/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #394 out of 511 cities tested in Ohio.
What contaminants are in Coolville's water?
Lead was measured at 2.8 ppb (90th percentile). 24 violations are on record.
How is Coolville'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 Coolville?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Coolville's water come from?
Coolville's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 859 residents.
What health violations has Coolville's water system had?
Coolville has 1 health-based violation 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. 14 violations remain unresolved.
Is Coolville's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Coolville 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 24 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 Coolville's water compare to other cities?
Coolville ranks #394 out of 511 cities in Ohio (better than 23% of state cities) and #10279 out of 15744 cities nationally (35th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Coolville's small water system affect quality?
Coolville's system serves approximately 859 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 24 violations on record.