Is New Concord, 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 ↓
81.6/100
waterverge.com New Concord, OH — Water Quality Report
New Concord's drinking water received a grade of B+ (81.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,491 residents using surface 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 72 violations on record, including 17 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.
What to know about New Concord's water
New Concord ranks #232 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, New Concord may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is New Concord, OH water safe to drink?
New Concord's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (81.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,491 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for New Concord
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into New Concord's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (81.6/100).
Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
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.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for New Concord'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
New Concord's water system has 72 total violations on record, including 17 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Muskingum County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1980. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Wills Creek At Cambridge, Salt Creek Near Chandlersville.
Where does New Concord's water come from?
New Concord's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,491 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Wills Creek At Cambridge (river), Salt Creek Near Chandlersville (river).
What New Concord residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in New Concord'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.
New Concord'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 New Concord
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near New Concord, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 315 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
AMG VANADIUM LLC CAMBRIDGE, OH43725 | Vanadium compounds | 315 | 9.2 mi |
MONOGRAM METALS INC BYESVILLE, OH43723 | — | — | 9.9 mi |
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE CO CAMBRIDGE PLANT CAMBRIDGE, OH43725 | — | — | 8.8 mi |
BLUESCOPE COATED PRODUCTS LLC CAMBRIDGE, OH43725 | — | — | 7.8 mi |
ZEKELMAN INDUSTRIES CO DBA PICOMA INDUSTRIES CAMBRIDGE, OH43725 | — | — | 8.9 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Muskingum County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1980. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in New Concord'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. | 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. | 172.00 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
Copper level trend (90th percentile)
See how New Concord compares by contaminant
Explore where New Concord ranks among all Ohio cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where New Concord's water comes from
New Concord'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 2,491 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near New Concord
New Concord is located near 2 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving New Concord
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEW CONCORD PWS | OH6001711 | 2,491 | SW |
How New Concord compares
Full Ohio rankings →New Concord's score of 81.6/100 is above the average of 58/100 among major Ohio cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Ohio rankings →About New Concord, OH
Wikipedia →New Concord is a village in Muskingum County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,361 as of the 2020 census. It is part of the Zanesville micropolitan area. New Concord is the home of Muskingum University and is served by a branch of the Muskingum County Library System.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to New Concord's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Muskingum
Frequently asked questions
Is New Concord, OH tap water safe to drink?
New Concord's water quality earned a grade of B+ (81.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #232 out of 511 cities tested in Ohio.
What contaminants are in New Concord's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 72 violations are on record.
How is New Concord'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 New Concord?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does New Concord's water come from?
New Concord's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,491 residents.
What health violations has New Concord's water system had?
New Concord has 17 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 4 violations remain unresolved.
How does New Concord's water compare to other cities?
New Concord ranks #232 out of 511 cities in Ohio (better than 55% of state cities) and #7395 out of 15744 cities nationally (53th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does New Concord's small water system affect quality?
New Concord's system serves approximately 2,491 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 72 violations on record.