Is Plymouth, OH Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 9 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
86.6/100
waterverge.com Plymouth, OH — Water Quality Report
Plymouth's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,874 residents using purchased 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 16 violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.
What to know about Plymouth's water
Plymouth ranks #97 out of 511 cities in Ohio for water quality, placing it above average 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, Plymouth may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Plymouth, OH water safe to drink?
Plymouth's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (86.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,874 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Plymouth
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Plymouth's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (86.6/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
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 Plymouth's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Plymouth's water system has 16 total violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Huron 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 Black Fork Mohican River At Shelby.
Where does Plymouth's water come from?
Plymouth's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,874 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Black Fork Mohican River At Shelby (river).
What Plymouth residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Plymouth'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.
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 Plymouth
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Plymouth, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 3,291 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
ARCELORMITTAL TUBULAR PRODUCTS USA LLC SHELBY, OH44875 | Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution) | 3,283 | 8.0 mi |
MTD CONSUMER GROUP INC - WILLARD FACILITY WILLARD, OH44890 | Manganese | 8 | 4.2 mi |
LAKEPARK INDUSTRIES INC GREENWICH, OH44837 | — | — | 7.9 mi |
PHILLIPS TUBE GROUP - SHELBY SHELBY, OH44875 | — | — | 6.2 mi |
LSC COMMUNICATIONS DBA LAKESIDE BOOK CO WILLARD, OH44890 | — | — | 4.0 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Huron 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.
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 |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Plymouth compares by contaminant
Explore where Plymouth ranks among all Ohio cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Plymouth's water comes from
Plymouth'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 local government ownership and serves approximately 1,874 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Plymouth
Plymouth is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Plymouth
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLYMOUTH VILLAGE | OH7004003 | 1,874 | SWP |
How Plymouth compares
Full Ohio rankings →Plymouth's score of 86.6/100 is above the average of 58/100 among major Ohio cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Ohio rankings →About Plymouth, OH
Wikipedia →Plymouth is a village in Huron and Richland counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 1,707 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Plymouth's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Richland
Frequently asked questions
Is Plymouth, OH tap water safe to drink?
Plymouth's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #97 out of 511 cities tested in Ohio.
What contaminants are in Plymouth's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 16 violations are on record.
How is Plymouth'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 Plymouth?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Plymouth's water come from?
Plymouth's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,874 residents.
What health violations has Plymouth's water system had?
Plymouth has 4 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2020. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 9 violations remain unresolved.
How does Plymouth's water compare to other cities?
Plymouth ranks #97 out of 511 cities in Ohio (better than 81% of state cities) and #4605 out of 15744 cities nationally (71th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Plymouth's small water system affect quality?
Plymouth's system serves approximately 1,874 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 16 violations on record.