WaterVerge

Is New Knoxville, 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 ↓

1K residents served 3 water systems PWSID: OH0601012
Overall Score
71.2 / 100
Violations
27 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#407 of 511 in Ohio Top 67% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
71.2/100
waterverge.com
B- 71.2/100

New Knoxville, OH — Water Quality Report

New Knoxville's drinking water received a grade of B- (71.2 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,297 residents using groundwater.

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 115 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 27 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about New Knoxville's water

New Knoxville ranks #407 out of 511 cities in Ohio for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.

New Knoxville 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, New Knoxville 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.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
71.2 out of 100 Grade B-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
28.2/45
C
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
16/20
B
Lead at 0.0 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 New Knoxville, OH water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

New Knoxville's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (71.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,297 residents using groundwater (wells).

27
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
1 event
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for New Knoxville

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into New Knoxville's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (71.2/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

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.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Copper Exceeds Limit
Detected: 51.61 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

New Knoxville's water system has 115 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 27 remain unresolved. 7 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MONOtherTTMRMCL
Most recent violations:
Dec 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Sep 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2024 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2023 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Auglaize County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. 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 Lake Loramie Near Fort Loramie, Miami And Erie Canal At Minster.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3250

Where does New Knoxville's water come from?

New Knoxville's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 1,297 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Lake Loramie Near Fort Loramie (lake), Miami And Erie Canal At Minster (stream).

What New Knoxville residents can do

Install a water filter

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

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
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Copper (90th percentile)
Inorganic
Over Limit
51.61 mg/L
EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L · +20% over limit
Exceeds Limit
Compliance Record

Violation summary

115
Total violations
2
Health-based
27
Active / unresolved
Dec 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

115 Total
27 Active
2 Health-based
88 Resolved
Violations by category
Inorganic Chemicals
27
Volatile Organic Chemicals
21
Consumer Confidence Rule
19
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
15
Total Coliform Rule
13
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Mar 2019 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Nov 2018 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Feb 2016 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jan 2016 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jun 2015 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2007 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2004 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2004 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2004 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2004 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2004 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2003 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2003 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2002 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Showing 20 of 115 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of New Knoxville

Industrial polluters nearby

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

Total reported releases to surface water: 9 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
AMERICAN RHEINMETALL
Plastics and Rubber · LOC PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS LLC
SAINT MARYS, OH45885
Zinc compounds94.6 mi
HUBBARD FEEDS INC
Food · ALLTECH INC
BOTKINS, OH45306
7.0 mi
DANONE US LLC
Food · DANONE NORTH AMERICA PUBLIC BENEFIT CORP
MINSTER, OH45865
8.6 mi
NIDEC MINSTER CORP
Machinery · NA
MINSTER, OH45865
7.8 mi
CROWN EQUIPMENT CORP
Machinery · CROWN EQUIPMENT CORP
NEW BREMEN, OH45869
5.5 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

1
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Auglaize County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3250

Recommended water filters

Based on contaminants detected in New Knoxville'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) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Copper (90th percentile) 51.61 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 increased by 2.4 ppb from 1993 (0.0 ppb) to 2025 (2.4 ppb).

Copper level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L
Copper has decreased by 715.390 mg/L from 2004 (767.000 mg/L) to 2005 (51.610 mg/L).
Contaminant Rankings

See how New Knoxville compares by contaminant

Explore where New Knoxville ranks among all Ohio cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,297
Water Systems
3
Water Source

Where New Knoxville's water comes from

Groundwater

New Knoxville'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 1,297 people through 3 water systems.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near New Knoxville

New Knoxville is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Lake Loramie Near Fort Loramie
lake
Miami And Erie Canal At Minster
stream
Infrastructure

Water systems serving New Knoxville

System Name PWSID Population Source
NEW KNOXVILLE VILLAGE OH0601012 946 GW
THE WAY INTERNATIONAL OH7501412 248 GW
GRAND LAKE ESTATES OH5400312 103 GW
Regional Comparison

How New Knoxville compares

Full Ohio rankings →

New Knoxville's score of 71.2/100 is above the average of 58/100 among major Ohio cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.

New Knoxville (this city)
71.2
Columbus
35.5
Cleveland
85.5
Cincinnati
36.8
Toledo
78
Kent
38.2
Ohio avg
58
City Profile

About New Knoxville, OH

Wikipedia →

New Knoxville is a village in Auglaize County, Ohio, United States. It was established in 1836. The population was 946 at the 2020 census. It is included in the Wapakoneta, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Economic Profile
$75,882
Median Income
$161,651
Median Home Value
$823/mo
Median Rent
8.6%
Unemployment
Community
37.4
Median Age
408
People / sq mi
25.7%
College Educated
66.8%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is New Knoxville, OH tap water safe to drink?

New Knoxville's water quality earned a grade of B- (71.2/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #407 out of 511 cities tested in Ohio.

What contaminants are in New Knoxville's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 115 violations are on record.

How is New Knoxville'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 Knoxville?

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

Where does New Knoxville's water come from?

New Knoxville's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 1,297 residents.

What health violations has New Knoxville's water system had?

New Knoxville has 2 health-based violations 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. 27 violations remain unresolved.

Is New Knoxville's groundwater at risk of contamination?

New Knoxville 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 115 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 New Knoxville's water compare to other cities?

New Knoxville ranks #407 out of 511 cities in Ohio (better than 20% of state cities) and #10599 out of 15744 cities nationally (33th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.