Ohio Water Quality Facts and Drinking Water Problems

Ohio’s municipal water comes from two primary sources – surface water and groundwater. Its surface water comes from lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and streams located throughout the state, while its groundwater is stored in underground aquifers and is extracted through wells or springs. Ohio is a very populated and industrialized state with an abundance of farmland, making water’s exposure to industrial waste and agricultural runoff a real concern. As a result, Ohio’s water is often heavily treated using chemicals to clean and disinfect, further affecting the quality of Ohio’s water.

Ohio residents often notice that their water is hard, discolored, tastes unpleasant, and causes lime or white scale buildup on bathroom and kitchen surfaces. Different areas of Ohio can experience distinct water issues. Even within the same city, water quality problems may vary. Learn more about the water quality issues where you live.