Ohio Guide
PFAS Contamination in Ohio — What You Need to Know
Ohio has some of the most significant PFAS contamination in the country. Here is where it has been found, what the state is doing about it, and how to protect your drinking water right now.
Last updated: April 2026 · By the PFASFilterGuide team
Ohio PFAS Standard
4 ppt PFOA / 4 ppt PFOS (EPA MCL, April 2024) — Ohio EPA adopted federal limits
Ohio EPA follows the federal EPA maximum contaminant levels finalized in April 2024: 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS individually, 10 ppt for PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA. Ohio has not set state-specific PFAS standards more stringent than the federal floor. Public water systems serving more than 3,300 people were required to test under UCMR5 by 2025. Private wells across rural Ohio remain largely untested, especially in agricultural areas where biosolids applications may have introduced PFAS.
Known Contamination Sites
These are publicly documented PFAS detections in Ohio. This is not a complete list — new sites are found regularly as testing expands.
| Location | Source | PFAS Level |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton / Fairborn (Montgomery & Greene County) | Wright-Patterson Air Force Base — AFFF firefighting foam, decades of training operations | Among the highest military PFAS concentrations in the US; PFOS + PFOA well above 70 ppt in affected monitoring wells |
| Youngstown / Warren (Mahoning Valley) | Industrial manufacturing corridor — PFOA and PFOS from former chrome plating and metal treatment facilities | PFAS detected in surface water and groundwater; multiple facilities under Ohio EPA monitoring |
| Willard (Huron County) | Municipal water system — industrial discharge from nearby facility | Exceeded EPA health advisory (70 ppt) in 2016-era testing; remediation and treatment implemented |
| Dayton (Miami River Watershed) | Dayton municipal water — downstream from Wright-Patterson contamination plume | PFAS detected in source water; Dayton Water has implemented treatment measures |
| Newton Falls / Portage County | Camp Ravenna Joint Military Training Center — AFFF use, Cuyahoga River watershed | PFAS detected in groundwater monitoring wells; investigation ongoing under DoD remediation program |
| Circleville (Pickaway County) | Chemical manufacturing legacy — Scioto River downstream contamination | PFAS detected in downstream monitoring; Scioto River sampling shows persistent PFAS compounds |
Military Base Contamination
AFFF firefighting foam used on military bases is one of the largest sources of PFAS groundwater contamination. The Department of Defense has identified these Ohio bases:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Dayton/Fairborn)
One of the most documented PFAS contamination sites at any US military base. Decades of AFFF firefighting foam use at fire training areas contaminated groundwater in Montgomery and Greene Counties. DoD environmental restoration program is active. Surrounding residential communities have been offered alternative water connections and testing. Remediation is long-term — expected to continue for years.
Camp Ravenna Joint Military Training Center (Newton Falls, Portage County)
Military training site with documented AFFF use. Groundwater monitoring shows PFAS in wells affecting the Cuyahoga River watershed. Investigation under the DoD Environmental Restoration Program. Private well owners in surrounding townships should request testing.
Ohio PFAS Regulations
- Ohio EPA follows the federal EPA MCL: 4 ppt for PFOA, 4 ppt for PFOS, 10 ppt for PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA
- Ohio has not adopted state-specific PFAS MCLs more stringent than the federal standard
- Ohio public water systems required to test under UCMR5 — results published in Consumer Confidence Reports
- Ohio EPA works with DoD on Wright-Patterson and Camp Ravenna cleanup under CERCLA / DERP
- Ohio EPA maintains a PFAS tracking page with updated contamination maps and testing data
- Private well owners near documented contamination sites should contact local county health departments for testing guidance
How to Test Your Water in Ohio
Ohio EPA coordinates PFAS testing for public water systems under the EPA UCMR5 program, which required all systems serving 3,300+ residents to test for PFAS by 2025. Results are submitted to the EPA and appear in your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report. For private well owners — especially those near Wright-Patterson AFB, Camp Ravenna, or the Mahoning Valley industrial corridor — Ohio EPA recommends contacting your local health department for testing guidance. Ohio does not have a statewide free well testing program, but some county health departments near documented contamination sites offer subsidized testing. Mail-in PFAS testing through Tap Score or SimpleLab costs $150-$300 and tests your actual tap water rather than relying on utility reports.
Recommended Filters for Ohio Residents
Any NSF P473 certified filter removes PFAS. The right type depends on whether you rent or own, and how many taps you want filtered.
Renters / Budget
Clearly Filtered Pitcher — $80 + $60/yr filters. NSF P473. No install.
See full reviewHomeowners / Kitchen
Under-sink RO system — $200-$400. Filters all drinking + cooking water at one tap.
See full reviewWhole-House
SpringWell PFAS system — $1,500+. Filters every tap including showers and laundry.
See full reviewCommon Questions
Is Ohio tap water safe from PFAS?+
It depends on where you live. Most large Ohio public water utilities have tested under UCMR5 and are working to meet the EPA MCL. Communities near Wright-Patterson AFB in the Dayton area and in the Mahoning Valley have the most documented risk. Willard (Huron County) had documented exceedances and has since installed treatment. If you are on a private well near any military base or industrial corridor, your water may not have been tested. A home test is the only way to know your actual PFAS levels.
Which Ohio cities have PFAS contamination?+
The highest documented PFAS risk is in communities near Wright-Patterson AFB: Fairborn, Beavercreek, and parts of Dayton in Montgomery and Greene Counties. Willard in Huron County had municipal water exceeding old EPA advisory limits. The Mahoning Valley area (Youngstown/Warren) has industrial PFAS sources. Newton Falls and surrounding Portage County communities near Camp Ravenna also have documented groundwater impacts.
Does Ohio EPA test for PFAS?+
Yes. Ohio EPA oversees PFAS testing for public water systems under the EPA UCMR5 mandate, which covered all systems serving 3,300+ people by 2025. Ohio EPA also works with the DoD on military base contamination monitoring. The agency maintains an online PFAS tracker with testing results by county. Private well testing is not mandated, but Ohio EPA's website provides guidance on finding certified labs.
How do I test my Ohio well water for PFAS?+
Private well owners in Ohio have several options. First, contact your county health department — many counties near Wright-Patterson AFB or Camp Ravenna have offered free or subsidized well testing. Second, use a mail-in test from Tap Score or SimpleLab ($150-$300) — you collect a sample at home and mail it to a certified lab for results in 7-14 days. Third, Ohio EPA's website lists Ohio-certified drinking water labs. Search 'Ohio EPA PFAS certified labs' for the current directory.
What filter removes PFAS from Ohio tap water?+
NSF P473 certified filters remove PFAS. Clearly Filtered pitcher ($80 + filters) and Aquasana under-sink systems hold this certification. For the most complete removal — including PFAS compounds that activated carbon may miss — a reverse osmosis system removes 99%+ of PFAS. If you are near Wright-Patterson AFB or in an area with high confirmed PFAS levels, an under-sink RO system is the most thorough choice for your kitchen drinking water.
Protect Your Water Now
You do not need to wait for your state to act. An NSF P473 certified filter removes PFAS from your tap water today. Start with a test to know your levels, then pick the filter that fits your home.