Cleveland – Ohio – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Cleveland’s Division of Water operates one of the largest water systems in the Midwest, providing service to approximately 1.4 million residents across Cleveland and 80 surrounding communities. Established in 1856, the system encompasses over 5,300 miles of water mains, multiple storage facilities, and four state-of-the-art water treatment plants that deliver an average of 230 million gallons of water daily to the greater Cleveland metropolitan area.
Cleveland draws its drinking water exclusively from Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, which contains about 20% of the world’s fresh surface water. The city maintains four intake cribs located between 3-5 miles offshore and 40-60 feet below the surface to access cleaner, deeper water. Cleveland’s water system has transformed significantly in recent decades, with over $1.6 billion invested in treatment plant modernization, distribution system upgrades, and enhanced monitoring technologies to address both legacy issues and emerging water quality concerns.
Cleveland Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead Levels: The most recent testing period (January-December 2024) showed 90th percentile lead levels of 5.4 parts per billion (ppb), significantly below the EPA action level of 15 ppb and demonstrating the effectiveness of Cleveland’s orthophosphate corrosion control program.
- Testing Scope: Cleveland conducts approximately 150,000 water quality tests annually throughout the distribution system, including continuous monitoring at treatment plants and enhanced sampling at residential properties across service areas.
- Compliance Status: Cleveland’s water consistently meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards, maintaining full compliance with EPA and Ohio EPA regulations for all monitored contaminants.
Lake Erie Source Water
- Strategic Intake Locations: Four intake cribs positioned 3-5 miles offshore in Lake Erie at depths of 40-60 feet provide access to higher quality source water, avoiding near-shore contaminants.
- Real-time Monitoring: Advanced buoy systems and water quality sensors provide continuous data on lake conditions, enabling rapid responses to changing water quality events.
- Source Water Protection: Cleveland actively participates in regional watershed protection programs and the Lake Erie Collaborative to address agricultural runoff, algal bloom prevention, and industrial discharge management.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- Multi-barrier Approach: All four water treatment plants (Nottingham, Baldwin, Crown, and Morgan) employ comprehensive treatment processes including screening, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.
- Granular Activated Carbon: Specialized carbon filtration systems target organic compounds, pharmaceuticals, and taste/odor-causing substances, particularly during seasonal algal events.
- Corrosion Control: Industry-leading orthophosphate treatment implemented since 1997 creates a protective coating inside pipes, significantly reducing lead and copper leaching from service lines and home plumbing.
Infrastructure Modernization
- Pipeline Replacement: Systematic replacement of approximately 80 miles of aging water mains annually, with priority given to areas with high break rates and critical service zones.
- Lead Service Line Initiative: Comprehensive mapping and replacement program targeting the estimated 135,000 lead service lines in the system, with over 40,000 replacements completed since 2017.
- Digital Water Management: Integrated SCADA systems and advanced metering infrastructure provide real-time monitoring of water quality parameters and early detection of potential distribution system issues.
Customer Protection Initiatives
Cleveland Water offers comprehensive customer programs including complimentary home water testing, point-of-use filter distribution in areas with known lead service lines, and affordability programs for low-income residents. The Water First for a Healthy Cleveland initiative provides educational resources about water quality and conservation, while the Lead Safe Cleveland program coordinates interagency efforts on lead hazard reduction. Cleveland’s environmental justice framework directs infrastructure improvements toward historically disadvantaged neighborhoods with aging water infrastructure. Through these initiatives and continued system modernization, Cleveland maintains its commitment to delivering safe, high-quality drinking water to residents throughout Northeast Ohio.
Recommendations for Cleveland Residents
Request Free Water Testing
Contact Cleveland Water at (216) 664-2882 or visit clevelandwater.com/testing to schedule a free lead and water quality test, particularly recommended for homes built before 1954 or with known lead service lines.
Lead Service Line Replacement
Enroll in Cleveland’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program for potential no-cost replacement of lead pipes. Apply online at clevelandwater.com/lead or call (216) 664-2444 to check your eligibility and service line status.
Use Certified Filters
If you have lead plumbing components, use NSF-certified filters (Standard 53 for lead reduction) for drinking and cooking water. Cleveland Water provides free filters to qualifying households through the Healthy Homes program.
Flush Your Water
If water has been standing in pipes for 6+ hours, run cold water for 2-3 minutes before using for drinking or cooking. This is especially important in older homes with lead service lines or plumbing. Always use cold water for consumption.
Report Water Issues
Call the 24-hour Water Quality Line at (216) 664-2639 for any water quality concerns, pressure problems, or water main breaks. You can also report issues through the Cleveland Water mobile app or online customer portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Cleveland’s tap water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards. The city draws water from Lake Erie and uses advanced treatment processes including multi-stage filtration, disinfection, and corrosion control.
Lead can be a concern in older homes with lead service lines or plumbing installed before the 1986 ban. Recent testing shows 90th percentile lead levels at 5.4 ppb, well below EPA’s action level of 15 ppb, due to Cleveland’s effective orthophosphate treatment program. The city offers free water testing and maintains robust monitoring throughout the distribution system. For added protection, residents in older homes can use certified filters and follow flushing recommendations.
How do I check if I have a lead service line?
Cleveland Water maintains a comprehensive service line inventory. To determine your service line material:
1. Check the service line where water enters your home (usually in basement/crawlspace). Lead pipes appear dull gray, feel soft when scratched with a coin, and don’t attract magnets.
2. Call Cleveland Water at (216) 664-2444 for their records on your service line
3. Use the online service line map at clevelandwater.com/lead-look-up
4. Request a free inspection from Cleveland Water
Homes built before 1954 in Cleveland are most likely to have lead service lines. The city’s replacement program prioritizes high-risk areas and offers assistance programs for qualified homeowners.
How does Cleveland address seasonal algal blooms in Lake Erie?
Cleveland Water employs a multi-faceted approach to manage Lake Erie’s seasonal algal blooms:
• Strategic water intakes: Four intake cribs located 3-5 miles offshore and 40-60 feet deep avoid near-shore areas where blooms typically concentrate
• Early warning system: Advanced buoy network and satellite monitoring provide real-time bloom detection
• Specialized treatment: Powdered activated carbon and potassium permanganate treatments target algal toxins
• Enhanced filtration: Granular activated carbon filters remove organic compounds and toxins
• Continuous monitoring: Advanced analytical equipment tests for microcystin and other cyanotoxins
Since implementing these measures in 2014, Cleveland has maintained safe drinking water even during severe bloom events. The city also participates in regional efforts to reduce agricultural runoff and phosphorus loading into Lake Erie.
What assistance programs are available for Cleveland water customers?
Cleveland Water offers several assistance programs:
Affordability Programs:
• Water Affordability Program: Income-based discounts for qualified residents
• Homestead Discount: Reduced rates for senior citizens and disabled customers
• Water/Sewer Crisis Assistance: One-time emergency assistance for qualifying households
Service Programs:
• Lead Service Line Replacement: Free or subsidized replacement for qualifying properties
• Healthy Homes Initiative: Free water filters and education for at-risk households
• Home Plumbing Repair Program: Assistance for low-income homeowners with internal plumbing issues
• Summer Sprinkler Program: Seasonal billing adjustments for irrigation users
Application information is available at clevelandwater.com/customer-assistance or by calling (216) 664-3130.
Contaminants of Concern
Lead
Source: Lead service lines, lead solder, and brass fixtures in homes built before 1986; Cleveland has approximately 135,000 lead service lines still in use
Health Effects: Developmental impacts in children, cognitive effects, kidney problems, reproductive issues, cardiovascular effects in adults
Current Levels: 90th percentile value of 5.4 ppb, well below EPA action level of 15 ppb EPA Limit: Action level 15 ppb, though health experts recognize no level of lead is safe
Microcystin
Source: Toxins produced by blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) during harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie, typically occurring in late summer and early fall
Health Effects: Liver damage, gastrointestinal illness, skin irritation, and potential neurological effects with exposure to high concentrations
Current Status: Consistently non-detectable in treated water; Cleveland’s multi-barrier treatment approach effectively removes these toxins even during bloom events EPA Limit: 0.3 μg/L for children under 6; 1.6 μg/L for adults
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