WaterVerge

Is Sabina, 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 ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: OH1400912
Overall Score
73.9 / 100
Violations
11 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#382 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
73.9/100
waterverge.com
B- 73.9/100

Sabina, OH — Water Quality Report

Sabina's drinking water received a grade of B- (73.9 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,493 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 3.6 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 71 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Sabina's water

Sabina ranks #382 out of 511 cities in Ohio for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

Sabina 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, Sabina may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 6 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
73.9 out of 100 Grade B-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
29.9/45
C
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
14/20
C
Lead at 3.6 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Sabina, OH water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Sabina's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (73.9/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,493 residents using groundwater (wells).

11
Active Violations
3.6 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
2 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Sabina

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Sabina's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (73.9/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3250). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HEAVY RAINS & FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-243). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 3.6 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Copper Exceeds Limit
Detected: 197.00 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

Sabina's water system has 71 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved. 6 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherRPTTTMRMCL
Most recent violations:
Dec 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2025 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Dec 2021 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Clinton County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1968. 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
HEAVY RAINS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-243

Where does Sabina's water come from?

Sabina's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,493 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Sabina residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

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
3.6 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 24% of limit
Safe Level
Copper (90th percentile)
Inorganic
Over Limit
197.00 mg/L
EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L · +20% over limit
Exceeds Limit
Compliance Record

Violation summary

71
Total violations
3
Health-based
11
Active / unresolved
Dec 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

71 Total
11 Active
3 Health-based
60 Resolved
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
21
Inorganic Chemicals
17
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
12
Total Coliform Rule
5
Lead and Copper Rule
4
Dec 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2025 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 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
Dec 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 1996 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 1995 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 1994 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 1994 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jul 2010 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 2010
Jul 2005 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jul 2005
Jul 2005 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jul 2005
Feb 2005 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Feb 2005
Jan 2002 Resolved
1,2-Dichloropropane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2002
Jan 2002 Resolved
CHLOROBENZENE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2002
Jan 2002 Resolved
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2002
Jan 2002 Resolved
DICHLOROMETHANE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2002
Jan 2002 Resolved
Vinyl chloride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2002
Showing 20 of 71 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Sabina

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
YUSA CORP
Transportation Equipment · NA
WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, OH43160
9.1 mi
AZEK BUILDING PRODUCTS
Plastics and Rubber · AZEK BUILDING PRODUCTS
WILMINGTON, OH45177
9.9 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

2
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Clinton County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1968. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3250
Jun 1968
HEAVY RAINS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #243

Recommended water filters

Based on contaminants detected in Sabina'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) 3.6 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Copper (90th percentile) 197.00 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 increased by 3.6 ppb from 1993 (0.0 ppb) to 2025 (3.6 ppb).

Copper level (90th percentile)

Latest reading: 197.000 mg/L (2004)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
2,493
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Sabina's water comes from

Groundwater

Sabina'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 2,493 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Sabina

System Name PWSID Population Source
SABINA VILLAGE PWS OH1400912 2,493 GW
Regional Comparison

How Sabina compares

Full Ohio rankings →

Sabina's score of 73.9/100 is above the average of 58/100 among major Ohio cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.

Sabina (this city)
73.9
Columbus
35.5
Cleveland
85.5
Cincinnati
36.8
Toledo
78
Kent
38.2
Ohio avg
58
City Profile

About Sabina, OH

Economic Profile
$45,833
Median Income
$103,497
Median Home Value
$713/mo
Median Rent
1.5%
Unemployment
Community
46.3
Median Age
856
People / sq mi
6.4%
College Educated
58.1%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Sabina, OH tap water safe to drink?

Sabina's water quality earned a grade of B- (73.9/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #382 out of 511 cities tested in Ohio.

What contaminants are in Sabina's water?

Lead was measured at 3.6 ppb (90th percentile). 71 violations are on record.

How is Sabina'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 Sabina?

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

Where does Sabina's water come from?

Sabina's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,493 residents.

What health violations has Sabina's water system had?

Sabina has 3 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. 11 violations remain unresolved.

Is Sabina's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Sabina 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 71 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 Sabina's water compare to other cities?

Sabina ranks #382 out of 511 cities in Ohio (better than 25% of state cities) and #9984 out of 15744 cities nationally (37th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Sabina's small water system affect quality?

Sabina's system serves approximately 2,493 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 71 violations on record.