WaterVerge

Is Jerusalem, OH Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 6 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

3K residents served 1 water system PWSID: OH5600503
Overall Score
82.6 / 100
Violations
6 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#202 of 511 in Ohio Top 44% nationally
Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
82.6/100
waterverge.com
B+ 82.6/100

Jerusalem, OH — Water Quality Report

Jerusalem's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,500 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 2.6 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 6 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Jerusalem's water

Jerusalem ranks #202 out of 511 cities in Ohio for water quality, placing it mid-range 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.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
82.6 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
41.6/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 2.6 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
0/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Jerusalem, OH water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Jerusalem's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (82.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,500 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

6
Active Violations
2.6 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
8 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Jerusalem

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Jerusalem's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (82.6/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4424). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES

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 Jerusalem's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 2.6 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Jerusalem's water system has 6 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

Other
Most recent violations:
Jan 2024 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Nov 2021 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 2020 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2020 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Dec 2018 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Monroe County has experienced 8 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.

SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-4424
SEVERE STORMS, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-4360
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3250

Where does Jerusalem's water come from?

Jerusalem's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,500 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.

What Jerusalem residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Jerusalem's water.

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Jerusalem'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
2.6 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 17% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

6
Total violations
0
Health-based
6
Active / unresolved
Jan 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

6 Total
6 Active
0 Health-based
0 Resolved
Jan 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Nov 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Dec 2018 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

8
Declared disasters
Apr 2019
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Monroe County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1968. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Apr 2019
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #4424
Apr 2018
SEVERE STORMS, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #4360
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3250
Jun 1996
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1122
Jan 1996
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1097
Aug 1980
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #630

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 2.6 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has increased by 0.2 ppb from 1993 (2.4 ppb) to 2025 (2.6 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Jerusalem compares by contaminant

Explore where Jerusalem ranks among all Ohio cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Private
Population Served
2,500
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Jerusalem's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Jerusalem's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

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 private ownership and serves approximately 2,500 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Jerusalem

System Name PWSID Population Source
SWITZERLAND OF OHIO WATER OH5600503 2,500 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Jerusalem compares

Full Ohio rankings →

Jerusalem's score of 82.6/100 is above the average of 58/100 among major Ohio cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Jerusalem (this city)
82.6
Columbus
35.5
Cleveland
85.5
Cincinnati
36.8
Toledo
78
Kent
38.2
Ohio avg
58
City Profile

About Jerusalem, OH

Economic Profile
$32,917
Median Income
$85,955
Median Home Value
$638/mo
Median Rent
0%
Unemployment
Community
38
Median Age
103
People / sq mi
4.6%
College Educated
76.8%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Jerusalem, OH tap water safe to drink?

Jerusalem's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #202 out of 511 cities tested in Ohio.

What contaminants are in Jerusalem's water?

Lead was measured at 2.6 ppb (90th percentile). 6 violations are on record.

How is Jerusalem'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 Jerusalem?

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

Where does Jerusalem's water come from?

Jerusalem's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,500 residents.

How does Jerusalem's water compare to other cities?

Jerusalem ranks #202 out of 511 cities in Ohio (better than 60% of state cities) and #6866 out of 15744 cities nationally (56th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Jerusalem's small water system affect quality?

Jerusalem's system serves approximately 2,500 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 6 violations on record.