Is Columbus tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

Columbus's water meets EPA minimum standards but has some concerns. Filtration is recommended for sensitive individuals.

79/100
Purity Score
3
Issues Found
7.9 GPG
Hardness
Not detected
PFAS

3 Issues Detected in Columbus

Moderately Hard Water (7.9 GPG)

Hardness above 7 GPG can cause minor scale buildup.

Hardness data for Columbus

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Columbus

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.3 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Columbus
Ohio

430,854,320,143,202 · Griggs and OShaughnessy reservoirs Scioto River

Columbus, OH Water Quality Report

Moderate Risk Updated March 2026 900,000 residents
See Best Filters for Columbus
79
Purity Score

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
ND
Lead
3.8 ppb
Nitrate
0.9 mg/L
Arsenic
0.3 mg/L
Hardness
7.9 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    At 7.9 GPG, Columbus's water qualifies as moderately hard. This can cause limescale in pipes and shorten appliance lifespan.
  • 2
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Columbus's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

79 /100
Good
"Good" threshold (70)

Columbus tap water is sourced from Griggs and OShaughnessy reservoirs Scioto River and treated by Columbus Division of Power and Water. Water hardness is hard at 7.9 GPG which may cause scale buildup. Overall purity score: 79/100 (Good). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Columbus's 3 issues.

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Columbus Water FAQ

Is Columbus OH tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Columbus tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 79/100 (Good) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Columbus OH use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Columbus uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.6 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 Columbus OH water and what is the TDS level?
Columbus water hardness is 7.9 grains per gallon (hard) with a TDS of 275 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 Columbus OH drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Columbus drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Columbus?
Based on Columbus's water profile, we recommend the AFWFilters 5600sxt 48000 Grain Softener. Columbus has elevated chlorine residuals. An under-sink carbon filter removes chlorine and disinfection byproducts at the tap.

Nearby Reports

ToledoOhio — 59/100CincinnatiOhio — 64/100DaytonOhio — 64/100ClevelandOhio — 77/100YoungstownOhio — 77/100CantonOhio — 78/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • Columbus Division of Power and Water CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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