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Community Water System · PWS OH5703512

Dayton Public Water System

Dayton, Ohio 45414 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 141,407 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

141,407
People served
46
EPA violations
13
Health-based
5 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 46 drinking-water violations at Dayton Public Water System, 28% of them health-based - below the Ohio per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 5 PFAS compounds.

46
Total EPA violations on record
28%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
141,407
People served by this system
5
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Dayton Public Water System

Dayton Public Water System is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 141,407 residents in Dayton, Ohio (Montgomery County) through 50,351 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 46 total violations for this system , of which 13 (28%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 30 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2009.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 10 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 5 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 10 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across Ohio, EPA tracks 4,181 public water systems serving 11,085,226 people, with 288,388 cumulative violations and 52,412 health-based violations on record. About 90% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 69 violations. Statewide, 204 of 346 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (59%).

Dayton Public Water System's 46 violations sit below the Ohio average.

All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

5 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
141,407
Total Violations
46
Health-Based Violations
13
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
50,351
County
Montgomery
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
10
Monitoring Violations
30
Treatment Tech Violations
3

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Coliform (TCR) MCL 10 1992
Surface Water Treatment Rule MR 10 2005
LASSO MR 7 2002
Atrazine MR 5 2002
Simazine MR 5 2002
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U MR 3 1994
Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 3 2009
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 2 2000

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 17 of 232 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFDoA 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 9/6/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 9/6/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 9/6/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 9/6/2023 3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFTA 9/6/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 9/6/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 9/6/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 9/6/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 9/6/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 9/6/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 9/6/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 9/6/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 9/6/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 9/6/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 9/6/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 9/6/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 9/6/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 9/6/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 9/6/2023 4.40 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFDoA 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 9/6/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 9/6/2023 10.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFNA 9/6/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 9/6/2023 9.80 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFBS 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 9/6/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 9/6/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 9/6/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 9/6/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 9/6/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 9/6/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 9/6/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 9/6/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 9/6/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 9/6/2023 4.60 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFMBA 9/6/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Dayton Public Water System.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID OH5703512 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Ohio Drinking Water Authority

Ohio EPA, Division of Drinking and Ground Waters is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects Dayton Public Water System under EPA-delegated authority.

Open OH regulator portal

Source: Ohio EPA, Division of Drinking and Ground Waters

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2009 Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 3 SDWIS / OH5703512 / 0200
2005 Surface Water Treatment Rule MR 10 SDWIS / OH5703512 / 0200
2002 LASSO MR 7 SDWIS / OH5703512 / 2051
2002 Atrazine MR 5 SDWIS / OH5703512 / 2050
2002 Simazine MR 5 SDWIS / OH5703512 / 2037
2000 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 2 SDWIS / OH5703512 / 7000
1994 Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U MR 3 SDWIS / OH5703512 / 4000
1992 Coliform (TCR) MCL 10 SDWIS / OH5703512 / 3100

How Dayton Public Water System Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Dayton Public Water System Ohio avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 46 69 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 13 12.5 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 5 compounds 59% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 141,407 2,651 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 4,181 regulated public water systems in Ohio.

Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026)
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dayton Public Water System water safe to drink? ▼
Dayton Public Water System (PWS ID: OH5703512) has 46 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 5 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 141,407 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does Dayton Public Water System serve? ▼
Dayton Public Water System serves 141,407 people in Dayton, Ohio. It is a Local-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 50,351 service connections.
What type of violations does Dayton Public Water System have? ▼
Dayton Public Water System has 46 total violations: 13 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 30 monitoring/reporting violations, and 3 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Dayton Public Water System water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 5 PFAS compounds in Dayton Public Water System's water supply: PFBS, PFHxA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFPeA. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Dayton Public Water System use? ▼
Dayton Public Water System uses Surface Water as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from? ▼
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.