Akron, Ohio — the former Rubber Capital of the World — draws its drinking water from Lake Rockwell, an impounded reservoir on the upper Cuyahoga River in Portage County. The Akron Public Utilities Bureau serves about 220,000 people and treats approximately 30 million gallons per day.
The Cuyahoga River is perhaps the most famous river in environmental history. It caught fire multiple times due to industrial pollution, most notably in 1969, helping catalyze the creation of the EPA and the Clean Water Act. The upper Cuyahoga, where Akron draws its water, was never as heavily polluted as the lower river near Cleveland. But the region’s industrial history still shapes its water quality story.
Rubber and Chemical Manufacturing Legacy
Goodyear, Firestone, General Tire, and B.F. Goodrich all operated major manufacturing facilities in Akron. Rubber production involved solvents, accelerators, plasticizers, and other chemicals — many of which ended up in the soil and groundwater.
Multiple former manufacturing sites in Akron have documented contamination. The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company’s former plant site and several other locations are under state cleanup oversight. Volatile organic compounds including trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) have been found in groundwater beneath and around former industrial sites.
Akron’s drinking water comes from a surface reservoir, which provides separation from these groundwater contamination plumes. But the chemicals can migrate to surface water through groundwater discharge, and the treatment plant must be equipped to handle trace-level contaminants.
Lead in the Distribution System
Akron’s housing stock is old. The city’s population peaked in the 1960s, meaning most of the residential infrastructure was built during the lead plumbing era. The city estimates it has thousands of lead service lines in its distribution system.
Akron uses a blended phosphate corrosion inhibitor to reduce lead leaching from pipes and solder. The city’s 90th percentile lead testing results have stayed below the EPA action level of 15 ppb. But the Akron area has seen some individual homes test above that threshold, particularly in neighborhoods like North Hill, Kenmore, and parts of West Akron where pre-1940 housing dominates.
The city has been accelerating its lead service line replacement program with state and federal funding. Homeowners can request testing through the Akron Water Bureau.
PFAS: An Emerging Story
Northeast Ohio has several sites with documented PFAS contamination. The Akron-Canton Airport and former military facilities in the region used AFFF firefighting foam. While Akron’s surface water supply has tested below EPA limits for PFAS compounds in recent monitoring, the detection of any measurable PFAS is worth tracking as testing becomes more sensitive and standards get tighter.
Summit County private well users, particularly near the airport or industrial areas, should include PFAS in their water testing panel.
Source Water Protection
Lake Rockwell’s watershed covers parts of Portage and Summit counties, including agricultural and residential areas. The Akron Water Bureau operates an extensive source water protection program, including monitoring upstream land use, regulating activities in the watershed, and maintaining buffer zones around the reservoir.
The upper Cuyahoga watershed has seen increasing development pressure as communities outside Akron grow. More impervious surfaces mean more stormwater runoff carrying road salt, fertilizers, pesticides, and sediment into the river and eventually Lake Rockwell.
Disinfection and Treatment
Akron’s treatment plant uses conventional treatment — coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorine disinfection. Disinfection byproduct levels (THMs and HAAs) have historically been within EPA limits but fluctuate seasonally. Higher organic matter in source water during fall and spring leads to higher DBP formation.
The water is moderately hard (around 100-130 mg/L as calcium carbonate), which can cause scale buildup in pipes and appliances. Water softeners are common in Akron households, though not necessary from a health standpoint.
What Residents Can Do
- Test for lead. Contact the Akron Water Bureau to request a test or check your service line material. Homes built before 1950 are highest risk.
- Use a quality filter. NSF/ANSI 53 certified filters handle lead, and carbon filters reduce chlorine, THMs, and taste issues.
- Private well owners in Summit County: Test annually for bacteria, nitrates, and VOCs. Add PFAS if near the airport or industrial sites.
- Read the annual water quality report. Akron publishes detailed results. Know what’s in your water.
If you’re concerned about your water quality, a certified water treatment professional can test your water and recommend the right treatment system.
For more Ohio coverage, see our report on Dayton water quality. Learn about chlorine in drinking water.
Sources: Akron Public Utilities Bureau, Ohio EPA, EPA SDWIS, Summit County Public Health, USGS