WaterVerge

Is Deshler, 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 ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: OH3500112
Overall Score
85.6 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#118 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

Deshler, OH — Water Quality Report

Deshler'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 1,578 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 2.5 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 4 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.

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

What to know about Deshler's water

Deshler ranks #118 out of 511 cities in Ohio for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

Deshler 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, Deshler 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
42.6/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
16/20
B
Lead at 2.5 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Deshler, OH water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Deshler'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 1,578 residents using groundwater (wells).

1
Active Violations
2.5 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
2 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Deshler

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

Update
Water quality data updated

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

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

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

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-653). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 2.5 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Copper Exceeds Limit
Detected: 730.00 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

Deshler's water system has 4 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MROtherMCL
Most recent violations:
Jan 2024 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jan 2023 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Apr 2005 TTHM Resolved
Jan 1982 Selenium Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Henry County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1982. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3250
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-653

Where does Deshler's water come from?

Deshler's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,578 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Deshler 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
2.5 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 17% of limit
Safe Level
Copper (90th percentile)
Inorganic
Over Limit
730.00 mg/L
EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L · +20% over limit
Exceeds Limit
Compliance Record

Violation summary

4
Total violations
2
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Jan 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

4 Total
1 Active
2 Health-based
3 Resolved
Violations by category
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Consumer Confidence Rule
1
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Inorganic Chemicals
1
Jan 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2024 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2024
Apr 2005 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2005
Jan 1982 Resolved
Selenium
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Feb 1982
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Deshler

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
PRO-TEC COATING CO
Fabricated Metals · PRO-TEC COATING CO
LEIPSIC, OH45856
8.5 mi
POET BIOREFINING LLC - LEIPSIC
Chemicals · POET HOLDING CO LLC
LEIPSIC, OH45856
8.5 mi
MARS PETCARE US INC.
Food · MARS INC
LEIPSIC, OH45856
6.4 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

2
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Henry County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1982. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3250
Mar 1982
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #653

Recommended water filters

Based on contaminants detected in Deshler'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) 2.5 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Copper (90th percentile) 730.00 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 decreased by 4.7 ppb from 1993 (7.2 ppb) to 2024 (2.5 ppb).

Copper level (90th percentile)

Latest reading: 730.000 mg/L (2005)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,578
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Deshler's water comes from

Groundwater

Deshler'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 1,578 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Deshler

System Name PWSID Population Source
DESHLER VILLAGE OH3500112 1,578 GW
Regional Comparison

How Deshler compares

Full Ohio rankings →

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

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

About Deshler, OH

Wikipedia →

Deshler is a village in Henry County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,588 at the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$57,273
Median Income
$103,456
Median Home Value
$843/mo
Median Rent
4.9%
Unemployment
Community
36.7
Median Age
283
People / sq mi
16.1%
College Educated
74.1%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Deshler, OH tap water safe to drink?

Deshler'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 #118 out of 511 cities tested in Ohio.

What contaminants are in Deshler's water?

Lead was measured at 2.5 ppb (90th percentile). 4 violations are on record.

How is Deshler'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 Deshler?

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

Where does Deshler's water come from?

Deshler's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,578 residents.

What health violations has Deshler's water system had?

Deshler has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.

Is Deshler's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Deshler 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 4 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 Deshler's water compare to other cities?

Deshler ranks #118 out of 511 cities in Ohio (better than 77% of state cities) and #5221 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 Deshler's small water system affect quality?

Deshler's system serves approximately 1,578 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 4 violations on record.