Is Toledo tap water safe to drink?

Use caution filtration recommended

Toledo's water has significant quality concerns. We strongly recommend a certified water filter.

59/100

Purity Score

Issues Found

9.1 GPG

Hardness

Detected

PFAS

4 Issues Detected in Toledo

PFAS (Forever Chemicals) Detected

PFAS are man-made chemicals that do not break down and accumulate in the body.

PFAS details for Toledo

Moderately Hard Water (9.1 GPG)

Hardness above 7 GPG can cause minor scale buildup.

Hardness data for Toledo

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Toledo

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.4 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Toledo

Fix Your Water — See Recommended Filters

Ohio

436,014,360,243,603 · Lake Erie Maumee River watershed

Toledo Water Quality Report: PFAS Detected

Elevated Risk Updated March 2026 500,000 residents

See Best Filters for Toledo

Purity Score

This 2026 analysis examines Toledo's water supply with a focus on PFAS exposure, hardness, and overall safety. Data is sourced from EPA SDWIS, EWG, and City of Toledo Division of Water consumer confidence reports.

Water Quality Data

PFAS

Detected (3.1 ppt)

PFAS detected. RO filter recommended.

PFAS in Toledo

Lead

Not detected (5.8 ppb)

Affects taste and skin. Carbon filter removes it.

Learn about chlorine

TDS

Unknown

High TDS (>500 ppm) may affect taste.

Contaminant Levels

PFAS

3.1 ppt

Lead

5.8 ppb

Nitrate

2.5 mg/L

Arsenic

0.4 mg/L

Hardness

9.1 gpg

Health Insights

1
At 9.1 GPG, Toledo's water qualifies as moderately hard. This can cause limescale in pipes and shorten appliance lifespan.
2
PFAS have been identified in Toledo's water at 3.1 parts per trillion. A reverse osmosis system is the most reliable home treatment.
3
Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Toledo's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

59 /100

Poor

"Good" threshold (70)

Toledo tap water is sourced from Lake Erie Maumee River watershed and treated by City of Toledo Division of Water. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected. Water hardness is hard at 9.1 GPG which may cause scale buildup. Overall purity score: 59/100 (Poor). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Toledo's 4 issues.

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MATCHED TO TOLEDO'S WATER DATA

Best Water Filters for Toledo, OH (2026)

Matched to PFAS Detected, Hard Water (9.1 GPG), Moderate Chlorine in Toledo.

PFAS Detected Hard Water (9.1 GPG) Moderate Chlorine

Best Overall #1 for Toledo

Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher

Pitcher Filter

$80-95

Why this fits Toledo

Removes 99%+ of PFAS detected in Toledo's water
Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Toledo's water
NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI 53 + NSF/ANSI 401 certified

Pros & Cons +

No installation fill and pour

Removes 365+ contaminants including PFAS

Small capacity 2-3 people

Filter replacements every 4 months

Fix Your Water — Check Price

Best for PFAS

Waterdrop G3P800 Tankless RO

Tankless Reverse Osmosis

$380-450

Why this fits Toledo

Removes 99%+ of PFAS detected in Toledo's water
Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Toledo's water
NSF/ANSI 58 + NSF 372 certified

Pros & Cons +

No tank saves cabinet space

800 GPD fast flow rate

Higher upfront cost

Filter replacements are proprietary

Check Price on Amazon

Best for Taste

APEC Water Systems ROES-50

Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis

$195-220

Why this fits Toledo

Removes 99%+ of PFAS detected in Toledo's water
Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Toledo's water
NSF/ANSI 58 certified

Pros & Cons +

5-stage filtration removes 99%+ of contaminants

Long-lasting filters (6-12 month replacement)

Requires under-sink installation

Wastes some water during filtration

Check Price on Amazon

Best Value

Waterdrop 10UA Under-Sink Filter

Under-Sink Carbon Filter

$40-60

Why this fits Toledo

Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Toledo's water
NSF/ANSI 42 certified
Budget-friendly at $40-60

Pros & Cons +

Very affordable

Easy DIY install no plumber

Does not remove PFAS or hardness

Single point of use only

Check Price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap may earn from qualifying purchases. Based on latest Toledo water data.

Full Filter Comparison for Toledo

Know exactly what's in YOUR tap

City data shows averages. Your home may differ.

Test Your Water — $25-30

About Toledo's Water

PFAS Water Contamination: What Toledo Residents Should Know

PFAS have been detected in Toledo's water supply at 3.1 parts per trillion. Health agencies including the EPA have set limits on certain PFAS compounds in drinking water due to concerns about long-term exposure. While municipal treatment reduces many contaminants, standard water treatment does not fully remove PFAS. Point-of-use reverse osmosis filtration is the most effective home solution confirmed to remove PFAS at the 99%+ level.

Toledo Hard Water: Effects on Your Home

Hard water conditions in Toledo (9.1 GPG) can leave white mineral deposits on fixtures, reduce soap lather, and gradually damage water-using appliances. Water heaters are particularly vulnerable: scale insulates the heating element, raising energy costs and reducing lifespan. A water softener exchanging calcium and magnesium for sodium eliminates scale formation throughout the home. For households concerned about sodium in drinking water, pairing a softener with an RO system at the kitchen tap is the standard approach.

Explore Toledo Water Data

Toledo Water FAQ

Is Toledo OH tap water safe to drink in 2026?

Toledo tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 59/100 (Poor) on PurityMap for 2026. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected at 3.1 ppt. An NSF-certified filter is strongly recommended. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.

Does Toledo OH use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?

Toledo uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.9 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.

How hard is Toledo OH water and what is the TDS level?

Toledo water hardness is 9.1 grains per gallon (hard) with a TDS of 260 ppm (fair). This level causes noticeable scale buildup in water heaters kettles and dishwashers. A water softener is recommended to protect plumbing and reduce soap usage.

Has PFAS been found in Toledo OH drinking water?

Yes. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected in Toledo water at approximately 3.1 ppt according to EPA UCMR5 monitoring data. A reverse osmosis or NSF P473-certified filter is the most effective residential solution.

What is the best water filter for Toledo?

Based on Toledo's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Toledo: PFAS detected or elevated lead risk. Reverse osmosis is the only residential technology proven to reduce both below detection limits. TDS will also drop significantly.

Nearby Reports

CincinnatiOhio — 64/100 DaytonOhio — 64/100 ClevelandOhio — 77/100 YoungstownOhio — 77/100 CantonOhio — 78/100 ColumbusOhio — 79/100

All Ohio cities

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Data Sources

EPA SDWIS
EWG Tap Water Database
City of Toledo Division of Water CCR
USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

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