C40/100
COLUMBUS PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM — Water Quality Report 2026
Serving 1,305,946 people · Ohio
Water Source
Surface Water
County
—
System ID
OH2504412
Violations
9
Contaminant Test Results
3 contaminants above EPA health goals
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Copper (90th percentile) | 58.70 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | Over Limit |
PFOA | 0.005 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Over Limit |
Lead (90th percentile) | 0.001 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | Above Goal |
EPA Violation History
No violations in the past 5 years
Full EPA compliance since 2016.
Understanding violation severity
Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly
Frequently Asked Questions About COLUMBUS PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM
Is COLUMBUS PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM water safe to drink?
COLUMBUS PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM water receives a grade of C (40/100), which is considered fair. 2 contaminant(s) exceed EPA legal limits and 9 violation(s) are on record. Customers may want to consider using a water filter.
What contaminants has COLUMBUS PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM detected?
77 contaminants were tested in COLUMBUS PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM's water. Notable contaminants include Copper (90th percentile), PFOA, Lead (90th percentile). 2 exceed EPA legal limits (MCLs). 3 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).
Does COLUMBUS PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM have any EPA violations?
Yes, COLUMBUS PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM has 9 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2016. Violation types include MCL, Other, TT. 8 are health-based violations.
How many people does COLUMBUS PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM serve?
COLUMBUS PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM serves approximately 1,305,946 people, Ohio.
What type of water does COLUMBUS PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM provide?
COLUMBUS PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM sources its water from surface water. Surface water comes from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and typically requires more extensive treatment. The utility's system ID is OH2504412.
How does COLUMBUS PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM compare to other utilities in Ohio?
COLUMBUS PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM scores 40/100 with a grade of C (fair). This score indicates room for improvement compared to other utilities. Visit our Ohio state page for a full comparison of water systems.