Tap Water Results

Is Stow, OH tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Akron City Public Water System. 2 PFAS were detected below the limits.

2 public water systems serve parts of Stow. The largest, Akron City Public Water System, serves 280,000 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Akron City Public Water System

280,000 people · Surface water · EPA ID OH7700011

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
One sample above limit
1.82 ppt4 pptOne sample above limit
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 2.67 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 1

Full Akron City Public Water System results

Across Ohio, 35 of 331 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 3 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Ohio results.

Stow homes and lead pipes

53%
of homes built before 1980 (Ohio 63%, US 50%)
8%
built before 1950 (Ohio 25%)
28%
of households rent (Ohio 33%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Stow city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Stow

  • Stow Public Water System
    35,437 people · Purchased surface water · Ohio · lists this city
    No PFAS above limitsAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Kent 4 mi
Akron City Public Water System
Akron City Public Water SystemNone above limits2.67 ppb
Cuyahoga Falls 6 mi
Akron City Public Water System
Akron City Public Water SystemNone above limits2.67 ppb
Akron 8 mi
Akron City Public Water System
Akron City Public Water SystemNone above limits2.67 ppb
Green 15 mi
Akron City Public Water System
Akron City Public Water SystemNone above limits2.67 ppb
Brunswick 20 mi
Medina Co/Northwest Public Water System
Medina Co/Northwest Public Water SystemNone above limits0.6 ppb
Medina 23 mi
Medina City Public Water System
Medina City Public Water SystemNone above limits3 ppb
Stow ZIP codes (1)
  • 44224

Questions

Is Stow tap water safe to drink?

Akron City Public Water System had 1 health-based violation since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Stow, OH?

2 public water systems serve parts of Stow. The largest is Akron City Public Water System (280,000 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Stow tap water have PFAS?

Akron City Public Water System had 2 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Stow homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 53% of Stow homes as built before 1980 (Ohio: 63%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Akron City Public Water System's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.