Cincinnati, Ohio Tap Water Quality Report
Serving utility: Cincinnati Public Water System
Updated March 2026 • Data from EWG Tap Water Database & EPA SDWIS
High Priority Concerns
Cincinnati tap water has 16 contaminants exceeding EWG health guidelines, including Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Bromodichloromethane. Additionally, 15 known or suspected carcinogens were detected, including Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Bromodichloromethane.
Water Provider Information
Contaminants Detected
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EWG Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen | 38.10 ppb | 0.15 ppb | 80 ppb | Above guideline |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) carcinogen | 11.60 ppb | 0.06 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Bromodichloromethane carcinogen | 10.50 ppb | 0.06 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Dibromochloromethane carcinogen | 11.30 ppb | 0.10 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 3.07 ppb | 0.03 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) carcinogen | 8.17 ppb | 0.10 ppb | 60 ppb | Above guideline |
| Arsenic carcinogen | 0.23 ppb | 0.00 ppb | 10 ppb | Above guideline |
| Chloroform carcinogen | 11.20 ppb | 0.40 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Dichloroacetic acid carcinogen | 2.87 ppb | 0.20 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Bromoform carcinogen | 4.94 ppb | 0.50 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Trichloroacetic acid carcinogen | 0.87 ppb | 0.10 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Chromium (hexavalent) carcinogen | 0.12 ppb | 0.02 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Nitrate and nitrite carcinogen | 0.78 ppm | 0.14 ppm | 10 ppm | Above guideline |
| Nitrate carcinogen | 0.76 ppm | 0.14 ppm | 10 ppm | Above guideline |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) carcinogen | 0.74 ppt | 0.30 ppt | 4 ppt | Above guideline |
| 1,4-Dioxane carcinogen | 0.40 ppb | 0.35 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Barium | 23.30 ppb | 700 ppb | 2,000 ppb | Below guideline |
| Chlorate | 15.30 ppb | 210 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Fluoride | 0.82 ppm | N/A | 4 ppm | Below guideline |
| Molybdenum | 2.47 ppb | 40 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Monobromoacetic acid | 0.43 ppb | 25 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Monochloroacetic acid | 1.09 ppb | 53 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) | 0.56 ppt | 2,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) | 1.72 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Strontium | 0.19 ppb | 1,500 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Vanadium | 0.38 ppb | 21 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
Health Context
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Bromodichloromethane carcinogen
Bromodichloromethane is a trihalomethane (THM) disinfection byproduct that damages liver and kidneys with chronic exposure. EPA classifies it as a probable human carcinogen based on animal carcinogenicity data.
Dibromochloromethane carcinogen
Dibromochloromethane is a trihalomethane (THM) that may increase cancer risk and cause liver and kidney damage with chronic exposure at elevated levels.
Dibromoacetic acid
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Recommended Filtration for This Water
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Shop Hydrogen FlaskFrequently Asked Questions
Is Cincinnati tap water safe to drink?
Cincinnati tap water meets EPA legal standards for drinking water. However, 16 contaminants exceed stricter EWG health guidelines, and 15 known carcinogens were detected. While legally compliant, additional filtration is recommended for optimal safety.
What contaminants are in Cincinnati water?
A total of 26 contaminants were detected in Cincinnati tap water, including Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Haloacetic acids (HAA9). Of these, 16 exceed EWG health guidelines.
What's the best water filter for Cincinnati?
For Cincinnati tap water, we recommend a reverse osmosis (RO) system for drinking water — it removes up to 99.9% of contaminants including heavy metals, PFAS, and disinfection byproducts. For shower and bath water, a whole-home filtration system reduces chlorine and volatile organics.
Where does Cincinnati get its water?
Cincinnati tap water is provided by Cincinnati Public Water System, serving approximately 750,200 people. For detailed source water information, contact your local utility or visit the EPA's SDWIS database.
Nearby City Water Reports
Data sources: Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database, U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Last updated: March 2026
Methodology: Contaminant levels are compared against both EPA legal limits (Maximum Contaminant Levels) and EWG health guidelines, which are often stricter and based on the latest scientific research.
