01The verdict: is Mount Gillead water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, Mount Gillead's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A (90.7/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,710 residents using groundwater (wells).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 230.00 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 3.9 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓Check back after the next refresh
EPA data updates on a rolling basis; we fold in new samples and violations every month.
Get alerts ↓Mount Gillead's drinking water received a grade of A (90.7 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,710 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 3.9 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 3 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
Mount Gillead ranks #25 out of 511 cities in Ohio for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state. Mount Gillead 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, Mount Gillead may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Mount Gillead's water
Every contaminant flagged in Mount Gillead, 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. | 3.9 | 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. | 230.00 | 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
03Mount Gillead'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 3 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Mount Gillead.
▲ Up 0.80 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 3.9 ppb (2025) — 26% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
230mg/L(2004)
One sampling round on record — 17692% of the 1.3mg/L EPA action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Mount Gillead's water comes from
Mount Gillead's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system, operated under private ownership.
1,710 people
Residents served across Mount Gillead's service area.
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 private ownership and serves approximately 1,710 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CANDLEWOOD LAKE ASSOCIATION INC | OH5901012 | 1,710 | Groundwater |
05How Mount Gillead compares
Scores for nearby Ohio cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Ohio average (58/100)
Mount Gillead scores 90.7/100 — above the Ohio average of 58/100. It outscores 10 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.→
06What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Mount Gillead's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Basic carbon filter for extra protection. Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Mount Gillead alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Gillead, OH tap water safe to drink?
Mount Gillead's water quality earned a grade of A (90.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #25 out of 511 cities tested in Ohio.
What contaminants are in Mount Gillead's water?
Lead was measured at 3.9 ppb (90th percentile). 3 violations are on record.
How is Mount Gillead'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 Mount Gillead?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Mount Gillead's water come from?
Mount Gillead's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,710 residents.
What health violations has Mount Gillead's water system had?
Mount Gillead has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2000. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
Is Mount Gillead's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Mount Gillead 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 3 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 Mount Gillead's water compare to other cities?
Mount Gillead ranks #25 out of 511 cities in Ohio (better than 95% of state cities) and #2078 out of 15382 cities nationally (87th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Mount Gillead's small water system affect quality?
Mount Gillead's system serves approximately 1,710 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 3 violations on record.