WaterVerge

Is Rushsylvania, 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 ↓

551 residents served 1 water system PWSID: OH4602112
Overall Score
73.6 / 100
Violations
9 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#384 of 511 in Ohio Top 64% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
73.6/100
waterverge.com
B- 73.6/100

Rushsylvania, OH — Water Quality Report

Rushsylvania's drinking water received a grade of B- (73.6 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 551 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.7 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 31 violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Rushsylvania's water

Rushsylvania ranks #384 out of 511 cities in Ohio for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

Rushsylvania 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, Rushsylvania 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 →
73.6 out of 100 Grade B-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
30.6/45
C
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
16/20
B
Lead at 0.7 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 Rushsylvania, OH water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Rushsylvania's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (73.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 551 residents using groundwater (wells).

9
Active Violations
0.7 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
1 event
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Rushsylvania

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Rushsylvania's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (73.6/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Radium-228.

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 Rushsylvania's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.7 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Copper Exceeds Limit
Detected: 156.00 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

Rushsylvania's water system has 31 total violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved. 7 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMRTTRPTMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Apr 2025 Radium-228 Resolved
Dec 2024 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open

Flood & environmental risk

Logan 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.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3250

Where does Rushsylvania's water come from?

Rushsylvania's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 551 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Rushsylvania residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Rushsylvania'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
0.7 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 5% of limit
Safe Level
Copper (90th percentile)
Inorganic
Over Limit
156.00 mg/L
EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L · +20% over limit
Exceeds Limit
Compliance Record

Violation summary

31
Total violations
5
Health-based
9
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

31 Total
9 Active
5 Health-based
22 Resolved
2 SNC
Violations by category
Inorganic Chemicals
7
Consumer Confidence Rule
6
Total Coliform Rule
6
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
3
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
2
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Dec 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Aug 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Dec 2019 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2019 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Apr 2025 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Jan 2018 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2018
Jan 2018 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2018
Aug 2003 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Aug 2003
Jul 2003 Resolved
CYANIDE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Apr 1999 Resolved
Simazine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1999
Apr 1999 Resolved
Atrazine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1999
Apr 1999 Resolved
LASSO
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1999
Nov 1998 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 1998
Oct 1998 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Oct 1998
Jul 1995 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 1995
Showing 20 of 31 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Rushsylvania

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
BELLETECH
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · AGC AMERICA INC
BELLEFONTAINE, OH43311
9.5 mi
AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS CO.
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · AGC AMERICA INC
BELLEFONTAINE, OH43311
9.2 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

1
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Logan 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 Rushsylvania'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) 0.7 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Copper (90th percentile) 156.00 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 decreased by 2.6 ppb from 1993 (3.3 ppb) to 2025 (0.7 ppb).

Copper level (90th percentile)

Latest reading: 156.000 mg/L (2005)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L

Contaminant Rankings

See how Rushsylvania compares by contaminant

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

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
551
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Rushsylvania's water comes from

Groundwater

Rushsylvania'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 551 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Rushsylvania

System Name PWSID Population Source
RUSHSYLVANIA VILLAGE PWS OH4602112 551 GW
Regional Comparison

How Rushsylvania compares

Full Ohio rankings →

Rushsylvania's score of 73.6/100 is above the average of 58/100 among major Ohio cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.

Rushsylvania (this city)
73.6
Columbus
35.5
Cleveland
85.5
Cincinnati
36.8
Toledo
78
Kent
38.2
Ohio avg
58
City Profile

About Rushsylvania, OH

Economic Profile
$65,568
Median Income
$109,899
Median Home Value
$967/mo
Median Rent
1.6%
Unemployment
Community
35.3
Median Age
252
People / sq mi
7.5%
College Educated
76.6%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Rushsylvania, OH tap water safe to drink?

Rushsylvania's water quality earned a grade of B- (73.6/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #384 out of 511 cities tested in Ohio.

What contaminants are in Rushsylvania's water?

Lead was measured at 0.7 ppb (90th percentile). 31 violations are on record.

How is Rushsylvania'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 Rushsylvania?

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

Where does Rushsylvania's water come from?

Rushsylvania's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 551 residents.

What health violations has Rushsylvania's water system had?

Rushsylvania has 5 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. 9 violations remain unresolved.

Is Rushsylvania's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Rushsylvania 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 31 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 Rushsylvania's water compare to other cities?

Rushsylvania ranks #384 out of 511 cities in Ohio (better than 25% of state cities) and #10055 out of 15744 cities nationally (36th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Rushsylvania's small water system affect quality?

Rushsylvania's system serves approximately 551 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 31 violations on record.