Arsenic Contamination

Arsenic in Ohio Drinking Water

Ranked by arsenic violation count · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

255

Cities Tested

255

Has Violations

100%

% Has Violations

2.7 violations

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

398

Health Violations

Analysis

Arsenic in Ohio: what the data shows

Ohio has 255 cities with arsenic-related violations on record. Arsenic contamination is a federal MCL violation at levels above 10 µg/L (10 ppb). The state has 255 cities with at least one arsenic violation. Arsenic enters drinking water primarily through erosion of natural deposits, particularly in western states with arsenite-bearing geology. Industrial sources include mining runoff, glass manufacturing, and semiconductor production. Groundwater systems are significantly more likely to have arsenic issues than surface water systems. Long-term arsenic exposure above the MCL increases the risk of bladder, lung, and skin cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Reverse osmosis and specialized arsenic-removal media are the most effective point-of-use treatment options.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 10 µg/L EPA MCL

Ohio

100%

255 of 255 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

5489 of 5489 cities

City Map

Arsenic data across Ohio

Each dot is a city with arsenic violation data. Cities with at least one arsenic-related violation are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by arsenic level in Ohio

Highest Arsenic levels (violations)

All Cities

All Ohio cities ranked by arsenic level

#	City	Level	Violations?	Violations	Grade
1	Fostoria	45 violations	Yes	32	F
2	Springfield	35 violations	Yes	42	F
3	Mansfield	30 violations	Yes	37	F
4	Anna	23 violations	Yes	24	B
5	Kent	22 violations	Yes	36	F
6	Dayton	17 violations	Yes	43	F
7	Chardon	14 violations	Yes	25	F
8	Columbus	13 violations	Yes	56	F
9	Minster	11 violations	Yes	14	D
10	Middlefield	9 violations	Yes	14	B+
11	Mogadore	9 violations	Yes	9	B
12	Rittman	8 violations	Yes	12	B
13	Akron	8 violations	Yes	36	D
14	Stow	7 violations	Yes	4	C+
15	Monroe	7 violations	Yes	2	B
16	Maumee	7 violations	Yes	6	B-
17	Bexley	7 violations	Yes	16	C
18	Piketon	7 violations	Yes	8	C
19	Mentor	6 violations	Yes	6	B-
20	Medina	6 violations	Yes	15	C+
21	Wooster	6 violations	Yes	14	F
22	Navarre	6 violations	Yes	8	C+
23	Bradford	6 violations	Yes	28	C
24	Chesterland	6 violations	Yes	11	C-
25	Massillon	5 violations	Yes	13	D+
26	Warren	5 violations	Yes	62	F
27	Ravenna	5 violations	Yes	3	C
28	Versailles	5 violations	Yes	4	B+
29	Warsaw	5 violations	Yes	36	D+
30	Cincinnati	4 violations	Yes	10	F
31	Lebanon	4 violations	Yes	28	D
32	Athens	4 violations	Yes	4	B+
33	Westerville	4 violations	Yes	18	C+
34	Galion	4 violations	Yes	18	B-
35	New Lexington	4 violations	Yes	29	F
36	Ada	4 violations	Yes	2	B-
37	Fayetteville	4 violations	Yes	19	C+
38	Garrettsville	4 violations	Yes	2	B-
39	Seville	4 violations	Yes	3	B
40	South Amherst	4 violations	Yes	15	B+
41	Quincy	4 violations	Yes	0	A-
42	Bowling Green	3 violations	Yes	85	F
43	Struthers	3 violations	Yes	1	B+
44	Newark	3 violations	Yes	6	B-
45	Tipp City	3 violations	Yes	0	C+
46	Wapakoneta	3 violations	Yes	7	B
47	Dennison	3 violations	Yes	13	A-
48	Chagrin Falls	3 violations	Yes	1	C
49	Andover	3 violations	Yes	0	B-
50	Nelsonville	3 violations	Yes	23	D
51	White Cottage	3 violations	Yes	47	F
52	Newton Falls	3 violations	Yes	6	C
53	Sebring	3 violations	Yes	51	B-
54	Coldwater	3 violations	Yes	1	A-
55	Waynesville	3 violations	Yes	25	D
56	Minerva	3 violations	Yes	5	B+
57	Mingo Junction	3 violations	Yes	3	B-
58	Paulding	3 violations	Yes	41	C+
59	Grand Rapids	3 violations	Yes	41	C
60	Botkins	3 violations	Yes	10	B
61	New Knoxville	3 violations	Yes	2	B-
62	Walnut Creek	3 violations	Yes	3	B
63	West Farmington	3 violations	Yes	22	C-
64	Lockbourne	3 violations	Yes	2	B
65	Spencer	3 violations	Yes	0	A-
66	Kettering	2 violations	Yes	14	C
67	Zanesville	2 violations	Yes	7	D+
68	Beavercreek	2 violations	Yes	9	B+
69	Ironton	2 violations	Yes	12	C-
70	Morrow	2 violations	Yes	7	B-
71	Huron	2 violations	Yes	13	C+
72	Sandusky	2 violations	Yes	6	A-
73	Jackson	2 violations	Yes	11	B-
74	Salem	2 violations	Yes	11	C+
75	Franklin	2 violations	Yes	2	B+
76	Coshocton	2 violations	Yes	13	B+
77	East Liverpool	2 violations	Yes	14	B
78	Oak Hill	2 violations	Yes	9	B-
79	Louisville	2 violations	Yes	9	C
80	Heath	2 violations	Yes	2	A-
81	Logan	2 violations	Yes	30	F
82	Shelby	2 violations	Yes	19	B+
83	Bolivar	2 violations	Yes	11	C+
84	Bryan	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
85	Bellevue	2 violations	Yes	5	B
86	Troy	2 violations	Yes	3	C
87	Brookville	2 violations	Yes	2	B-
88	Caldwell	2 violations	Yes	33	D
89	West Milton	2 violations	Yes	54	B+
90	Lowell	2 violations	Yes	6	B+
91	Sardinia	2 violations	Yes	19	B-
92	Fredricktown	2 violations	Yes	2	C+
93	Groveport	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
94	Gibsonburg	2 violations	Yes	1	B-
95	Enon	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
96	Sabina	2 violations	Yes	3	B-
97	New Concord	2 violations	Yes	17	B+
98	Williamsburg	2 violations	Yes	6	B+
99	Somerset	2 violations	Yes	18	B+
100	Chauncey	2 violations	Yes	0	B+
101	Gnadenhutten	2 violations	Yes	5	C
102	Malvern	2 violations	Yes	9	C-
103	New Vienna	2 violations	Yes	3	A-
104	Bainbridge	2 violations	Yes	1	A
105	Cadia	2 violations	Yes	14	B
106	Washingtonville	2 violations	Yes	10	B
107	Milford Center	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
108	Scio	2 violations	Yes	4	B
109	West Mansfield	2 violations	Yes	9	A
110	Perrysburg	2 violations	Yes	4	C
111	Thurston	2 violations	Yes	0	B
112	North Hampton	2 violations	Yes	0	B
113	Cleveland	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
114	Delaware	1 violations	Yes	5	B
115	Lorain	1 violations	Yes	15	B+
116	Canton	1 violations	Yes	2	B-
117	Lagrange	1 violations	Yes	10	C
118	Trenton	1 violations	Yes	10	B-
119	Chillicothe	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
120	Pataskala	1 violations	Yes	4	B+
121	Barnesville	1 violations	Yes	14	C
122	Steubenville	1 violations	Yes	30	F
123	Whitehouse	1 violations	Yes	8	B
124	Xenia	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
125	Vandalia	1 violations	Yes	10	B+
126	New Richmond	1 violations	Yes	0	B-
127	Port Clinton	1 violations	Yes	46	D+
128	Marysville	1 violations	Yes	16	B+
129	N Canton	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
130	Miamisburg	1 violations	Yes	2	C
131	Avon Lake	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
132	Cambridge	1 violations	Yes	86	C-
133	Piqua	1 violations	Yes	12	B
134	Alliance	1 violations	Yes	17	B+
135	Berea	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
136	New Philadelphia	1 violations	Yes	4	B
137	Long Bottom	1 violations	Yes	1	A
138	Williamsport	1 violations	Yes	31	C-
139	Dover	1 violations	Yes	11	B
140	Bellefontaine	1 violations	Yes	5	B
141	Conneaut	1 violations	Yes	6	B+
142	Wilmington	1 violations	Yes	26	B
143	Celina	1 violations	Yes	45	B-
144	Van Wert	1 violations	Yes	47	C
145	Vermilion	1 violations	Yes	7	B+
146	Wellsville	1 violations	Yes	3	C+
147	Oakwood	1 violations	Yes	10	C
148	Hudson	1 violations	Yes	1	B-
149	Wauseon	1 violations	Yes	22	C+
150	Delphos	1 violations	Yes	17	D+
151	Washington Court House	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
152	Union	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
153	Wellston	1 violations	Yes	18	B
154	Martins Ferry	1 violations	Yes	0	B
155	Columbiana	1 violations	Yes	2	B
156	South Lebanon	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
157	Milford	1 violations	Yes	1	D
158	Upper Sandusky	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
159	Ontario	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
160	Mount Orab	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
161	Belpre	1 violations	Yes	4	B
162	Cleves	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
163	Germantown	1 violations	Yes	21	B+
164	Canal Fulton	1 violations	Yes	4	B
165	West Jefferson	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
166	Wellington	1 violations	Yes	5	A-
167	Millersburg	1 violations	Yes	4	B+
168	Ashville	1 violations	Yes	2	B
169	Bellaire	1 violations	Yes	16	A-
170	South Point	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
171	Bluffton	1 violations	Yes	19	B+
172	Cedarville	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
173	Bellville	1 violations	Yes	9	C-
174	Newcomerstown	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
175	Carey	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
176	Hicksville	1 violations	Yes	2	B
177	Doylestown	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
178	North Baltimore	1 violations	Yes	7	A-
179	Woodville	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
180	Millersport	1 violations	Yes	0	A
181	New Miami	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
182	Fairport Harbor	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
183	New Waterford	1 violations	Yes	11	C
184	Grafton	1 violations	Yes	29	B
185	Crooksville	1 violations	Yes	23	B
186	New Paris	1 violations	Yes	39	D+
187	Strasburg	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
188	Woodsfield	1 violations	Yes	14	B-
189	St Henry	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
190	Middleport	1 violations	Yes	1	B
191	Dalton	1 violations	Yes	4	B+
192	Sugarcreek	1 violations	Yes	7	C+
193	Utica	1 violations	Yes	1	B
194	Creston	1 violations	Yes	2	B
195	Southpoint	1 violations	Yes	2	A
196	Mount Sterling	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
197	Brilliant	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
198	Winesburg	1 violations	Yes	6	B-
199	Berlin	1 violations	Yes	2	B
200	Roseville	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
201	Kalida	1 violations	Yes	6	A-
202	Pomeroy	1 violations	Yes	1	C
203	Windham	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
204	Roaming Shores	1 violations	Yes	6	B+
205	Orwell	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
206	Mechanicsburg	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
207	Payne	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
208	Green Springs	1 violations	Yes	16	B
209	Lithopolis	1 violations	Yes	4	B-
210	Shreve	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
211	Greenwich	1 violations	Yes	1	B-
212	Arlington	1 violations	Yes	0	A
213	Bremen	1 violations	Yes	3	B+
214	West Alexandria	1 violations	Yes	4	B
215	Fayette	1 violations	Yes	0	A
216	Frazeysburg	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
217	Pemberville	1 violations	Yes	1	B
218	Middletown	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
219	Pandora	1 violations	Yes	0	A
220	Ashley	1 violations	Yes	5	A-
221	Thornville	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
222	Rockford	1 violations	Yes	4	B-
223	Magnolia	1 violations	Yes	0	A
224	Wakeman	1 violations	Yes	21	B+
225	Kingston	1 violations	Yes	1	C
226	Yorkville	1 violations	Yes	1	C
227	Danville	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
228	Hopedale	1 violations	Yes	1	B
229	Philo	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
230	Pleasantville	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
231	Bloomville	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
232	Waynesburg	1 violations	Yes	2	B
233	Perrysville	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
234	Addyston	1 violations	Yes	4	B
235	Dunkirk	1 violations	Yes	4	B
236	Marblehead	1 violations	Yes	5	A-
237	New Holland	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
238	Nevada	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
239	Edon	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
240	Marshallville	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
241	Mcguffey	1 violations	Yes	3	B
242	Ohio City	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
243	Racine	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
244	Rock Creek	1 violations	Yes	32	C-
245	Jewett	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
246	Lucas	1 violations	Yes	0	B
247	Laurelville	1 violations	Yes	4	B+
248	Proctorville	1 violations	Yes	0	A
249	Rushsylvania	1 violations	Yes	5	B-
250	Eldorado	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
251	Spring Valley	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
252	Gettysburg	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
253	South Charleston	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
254	Clarksburg	1 violations	Yes	6	A
255	Jeromesville	1 violations	Yes	0	A

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about arsenic in Ohio

Is arsenic in Ohio tap water a concern?

Yes — 255 cities in Ohio have arsenic-related violations on record. The EPA MCL for arsenic is 10 µg/L. Even at levels below the MCL, long-term arsenic exposure has been linked to cancer and cardiovascular disease.

How can I remove arsenic from my drinking water in Ohio?

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective at removing arsenic, typically reducing it by 90% or more. Specialized arsenic-removal media (such as iron-based adsorption filters) are also highly effective. Standard carbon filters and pitcher filters do NOT effectively remove arsenic. If your water comes from a private well, have it tested for arsenic.

Where does arsenic in Ohio water come from?

Arsenic enters drinking water primarily through natural erosion of arsenic-bearing rock formations. It is most common in groundwater systems in the western United States, parts of the Midwest, and New England. Industrial sources include mining, smelting, and agricultural pesticide residues. Groundwater sources are far more likely to contain arsenic than surface water.

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