Zanesville PWS

Zanesville's water supply comes from wells located in the eastern flood plain of the Muskingum River along Lewis Drive (S.R. 666). This vital source was established in 1917 and remains our primary water resource. Today, this area is known as Riverside Park, though residents should remember the important underground water reserves beneath it.

The Water Treatment Plant sits adjacent to the well field. The original facility was built in 1917, with electric pumps replacing steam pumps in 1949. The most recent major upgrade occurred in 2011 with the construction of the new Water Treatment Plant on Buckeye Drive, which went online December 20, 2011.

In 2016, Zanesville Water Division completed significant infrastructure improvements including:

• 6 valves repaired
• 10 valves replaced
• 132 service renewals
• 1 new tap installation
• 10 hydrants replaced
• 6 hydrants repaired
• 20 service repairs

The Zanesville Water System maintains a backup connection with Muskingum County Water Department near Richards Road. This connection typically operates about two days annually to service Conn's Chips, and serves as a system backup. Muskingum County Water Department bills directly for this connection. For information about water quality from the County, contact Debbie Rob at (740) 453-0678 for their consumer confidence report.

Understanding Contamination Sources
All water sources – whether tap water or bottled water – may contain various contaminants. As water travels over land or through ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and can pick up substances from animal or human activities.

Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage treatment, septic systems, livestock, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals) from natural sources, urban runoff, industrial discharge, or mining
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential use
• Organic chemicals from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, and septic systems
• Radioactive materials occurring naturally or from oil/gas production and mining

The EPA regulates tap water contaminant limits, while FDA regulations govern bottled water standards. All drinking water, including bottled varieties, reasonably contains some contaminant traces. This doesn't necessarily indicate health risks. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Special Health Precautions
Some individuals may be particularly vulnerable to water contaminants. People with compromised immune systems—including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, some elderly individuals, and infants—should seek advice from healthcare providers about drinking water. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing Cryptosporidium and other microbial contamination risks are available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

1. How often is Zanesville's municipal water tested?
   Zanesville PWS follows EPA guidelines requiring regular testing—some daily, some quarterly, and some annually—depending on the contaminant.
2. Is hard water harmful to health?
   While hard water isn't generally a health concern, it can cause household problems including scale buildup in pipes, reduced soap effectiveness, and appliance damage.
3. What causes the chlorine smell in tap water?
   Chlorine is added as a disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria. The smell is stronger when water sits in pipes overnight or during warmer months.
4. Should I filter my tap water?
   While Zanesville water meets safety standards, home filtration can improve taste and remove certain contaminants based on your specific concerns.