PFAS in Drinking Water in Ohio
What residents of Ohio need to know about PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water — including contamination sources, which utilities have documented violations, and how to filter PFAS from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, Ohio EPA, CDC · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is PFAS in drinking water a real concern in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio has multiple PFAS contamination sources including Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton (one of the most significant military PFAS cases in the Midwest), industrial manufacturing facilities in the Mahoning Valley and Columbus corridor, and Ohio River loading from upstream industrial states. Wright-Patterson AFB has documented PFAS contamination affecting wells in the Dayton suburb communities of Beavercreek and Fairborn.
Where does PFAS come from in Ohio?
Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton is Ohio's most significant PFAS contamination source, with documented AFFF plumes extending into residential areas of Beavercreek and Fairborn. Industrial manufacturing in northeast Ohio (Mahoning Valley steel and manufacturing corridor) and central Ohio has also contributed PFAS to groundwater and surface water. The Ohio River carries PFAS loading from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky industrial sources.
What should Ohio residents know?
Beavercreek and Fairborn residents near Wright-Patterson AFB have the most directly documented PFAS exposure risk in Ohio. The Air Force has conducted monitoring and is engaged in remediation discussions. Ohio EPA has expanded statewide PFAS testing under UCMR5. Ohio River corridor communities should review their utility's PFAS source water monitoring data.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL (PFOA/PFOS) | 4 ppt — effective April 2024 |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary contamination sources | Wright-Patterson AFB (Dayton suburbs), Mahoning Valley industrial, Ohio River industrial loading |
| Highest-impact site | Beavercreek/Fairborn area near Wright-Patterson AFB — documented residential PFAS exposure |
| State regulator | Ohio EPA — Drinking and Ground Waters division |
| Health effects | Cancer (kidney, testicular), thyroid disruption, immune effects, developmental toxicity |
| Effective treatment | Reverse osmosis or GAC; Ohio EPA working with affected utilities on treatment options |
Why PFAS Matters in Ohio
Wright-Patterson AFB — home of Air Force Material Command and one of the nation's largest Air Force installations — has generated documented PFAS plumes affecting suburban Dayton communities. Beavercreek, a city of approximately 45,000 people adjacent to the base, has documented PFAS in some groundwater monitoring wells. Ohio EPA and the Air Force have been engaged in extensive monitoring. Ohio's industrial legacy also means PFAS from manufacturing contributes to river and groundwater contamination across northeast and central Ohio. The Ohio River, which supplies drinking water to multiple southern Ohio cities, carries PFAS loading from the industrial corridor running from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati.
Ohio PFAS Regulation
Ohio EPA participates in UCMR5 monitoring and has identified Wright-Patterson AFB (Dayton area) as a major PFAS site, with documented contamination affecting private wells in Greene and Montgomery counties. The state also has industrial PFAS sources from manufacturing in the Mahoning Valley and Cincinnati area. Ohio's General Assembly has addressed PFAS in firefighting foam. Ohio follows the federal MCL with no additional state standard.
Largest Ohio Water Utilities
No PFAS violations on record in EPA SDWIS for Ohio utilities in our database. Browse the largest utilities to review their full water quality record.
What Are PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)?
PFAS are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and AFFF firefighting foam. Their carbon-fluorine bonds do not break down in the environment or the body — hence the name “forever chemicals.” AFFF used at military bases is the single largest source of PFAS in U.S. drinking water.
Full PFAS overview — national data, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Beavercreek, Fairborn, and Wright Township area residents near Wright-Patterson AFB face the most direct military PFAS risk. Northeast Ohio communities in the Mahoning Valley near industrial manufacturing, and southern Ohio communities drawing from the Ohio River, should review their utility's PFAS monitoring data.
Residents near military bases with AFFF use history
Private well owners near military or industrial sites
Pregnant residents and families with young children
Residents in communities with documented PFAS detections
Anyone who has consumed water above 4 ppt for an extended period
Residents near airports, fire training areas, or industrial manufacturers
How to Check Your Situation in Ohio
- 1
Identify your water utility using the ZIP lookup below or by browsing the Ohio utility directory on this site.
- 2
Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — it must report PFAS monitoring results under UCMR5 and the new MCL.
- 3
Check the EPA's ECHO database for your utility's monitoring history. Look for PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, and related compound results.
- 4
Contact your utility directly and ask for their most recent PFAS test results and whether they are implementing treatment under the 2024 MCL.
- 5
If you use a private well near a military base, airport, or industrial facility, order a PFAS panel test from a state-certified laboratory. Tests typically cost $150–$400.
- 6
If PFAS is detected above 4 ppt in your source water, install a certified NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis system or an NSF/ANSI 53-certified activated carbon filter rated for PFAS removal.
How to Remove PFAS from Tap Water
Reverse Osmosis (Best)
90–99% removal — NSF/ANSI 58 certified systems only
Certified Activated Carbon
Effective with NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification — verify before buying
Boiling concentrates PFAS. Standard pitcher filters and water softeners do not remove PFAS. Always verify NSF certification before purchasing.
Take Action Now
Look up your Ohio utility's PFAS monitoring history on the PFAS Watchlist below.
If your utility has detected PFAS above 4 ppt, install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system at your drinking tap.
Private well owners near military or industrial sites should order a PFAS panel test ($150–$400 at a state-certified lab).
Request your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report — PFAS results must be disclosed under the new 2024 MCL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
PFAS — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with PFAS records
Ohio PFAS Watchlist
Live utility PFAS monitoring data
Ohio State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 90–99% of PFAS
Activated Carbon Filter Guide
NSF/ANSI 53/58 certified options for PFAS
Arsenic in Drinking Water
Another priority contaminant
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
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