Every U.S. States Ranked by Best to Worst Drinking Water

Ohio ranks slightly below the middle because a noticeable share of residents are served by water systems with health-based violations. EPA data shows population exposure is higher than in many neighboring states, largely due to older urban systems.

Age is the biggest factor here. Many cities rely on infrastructure built decades ago, which increases the risk of breakdowns and contamination. While major systems are closely monitored, ongoing maintenance challenges keep Ohio from ranking higher overall.