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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Water quality scores for 40 cities in Indiana
It depends on your utility. 5 of the 32 Indiana water systems we grade from EPA records have a health-based violation in the last five years; the state averages 93/100 (5 above the national 88). Lowest graded: Lawrence (F). Highest: Greenwood (A).
Indiana's official certified-lab list, when to test well vs city water, typical lab prices, and how to take a first-draw lead sample.
Across the 32 Indiana water systems we can grade from EPA records, the average score is 93/100 — 5 points above the U.S. national average of 88/100. 72% of graded Indiana cities (23 of 32) score above that national benchmark, and 23 earn a Grade A. 5 cities have at least one health-based EPA violation in the last five years. 8 cities are not graded because we have not yet matched them to an EPA water system.
The contaminants most commonly flagged in Indiana water systems are nitrates (agricultural runoff), lead (older service lines) and atrazine and other herbicides. See the full breakdown in our Indiana water quality rankings or compare against the cities with the best water quality in America.
See the top 20 cities with the cleanest, safest drinking water
Complete water quality rankings for every city in Indiana
210,510 residents
182,444 residents
74,030 residents
61,493 residents
59,313 residents
41,485 residents
35,533 residents
33,996 residents
30,000 residents
28,363 residents
23,984 residents
20,725 residents
5,500 residents
70,835 residents
36,000 residents
30,000 residents
15,750 residents
78,384 residents
45,575 residents
32,267 residents
51,122 residents
34,477 residents
880,345 residents
83,000 residents
67,765 residents
269,994 residents
46,455 residents
115,000 residents
49,675 residents
99,927 residents
55,212 residents
49,000 residents
98,977 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
69,739 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
37,829 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
37,603 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
35,246 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
30,990 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
26,211 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
22,333 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
Indiana's water quality reflects its mix of heavy agriculture and a strong industrial and manufacturing legacy. Northern and central Indiana face nitrate and pesticide pressure from farming, while the industrial corridor near Lake Michigan and along the Ohio River has historically dealt with industrial discharges. Aging lead service lines in older cities are an ongoing concern.
Across the 32 Indiana cities graded from EPA records, the average water quality score is 93/100. 1 city scores below 70 (D or F) because of health-based violations, lead results, PFAS or historical readings near a limit. The highest-rated city is Greenwood with a score of 100/100, while Lawrence has the most room for improvement at 59/100.
1 of the 32 Indiana cities we grade score below 70/100. If your city is one of them — or you just want extra protection — a certified filter is the fastest way to reduce exposure. The findings that drag a score down (lead, PFAS, arsenic, nitrate) are exactly the ones a basic carbon pitcher does not remove.
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Indiana draws from both surface water and abundant groundwater. The Ohio River supplies southern communities including Evansville, while Indianapolis relies on the White River and reservoirs. Glacial aquifers across the northern two-thirds of the state provide groundwater to many cities and rural wells.
These contaminants have been detected in various Indiana water systems
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) administers the Safe Drinking Water Act in Indiana and runs source water protection and lead service line inventory programs. Indiana follows federal EPA standards and has begun statewide PFAS sampling of public systems.
Lead is a priority concern in older cities such as Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Gary where lead service lines remain. Agricultural regions can see seasonal nitrate spikes. Some northern Indiana groundwater contains naturally elevated arsenic, and PFAS has been detected near certain industrial and military sites.
Indiana residents in pre-1986 homes should test tap water for lead and use an NSF 53 certified filter if needed. Private-well owners in farm country should test for nitrate and bacteria annually. Reverse osmosis addresses nitrate, arsenic, and PFAS; carbon filters help with chlorine taste and disinfection byproducts.
Most Indiana cities we grade have tap water in good standing with EPA. With an average score of 93/100 across 32 graded cities, Indiana generally has good water quality. However, water quality varies by utility, so check your specific city's report.
The most common water quality concerns in Indiana include nitrates (agricultural runoff), lead (older service lines), atrazine and other herbicides. These contaminants can come from natural sources, industrial activities, or aging infrastructure. Review your city's specific report to see which contaminants affect your area.
Whether you need a water filter depends on your specific location and health concerns. With 1 Indiana cities grading D or F on EPA records, residents in those areas may benefit from filtration. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI to remove the specific contaminants found in your area.
Public water systems in Indiana are required to provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) to residents. You can usually find your report on your water utility's website, request it by phone, or access it through the EPA's database. Our city-level reports above summarize key information from these official sources.
Lead can be present in Indiana water, primarily from older plumbing infrastructure. Homes built before 1986 may have lead pipes or lead solder. While water treatment plants remove lead, it can leach into water from service lines and home plumbing. Check your city's specific report for lead testing data, and consider having your tap water tested if you live in an older home.
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water systems across the United States, including in Indiana. These chemicals are associated with industrial sites, military bases, and firefighting foam use. The EPA has set new PFAS limits effective 2024. Check individual Indiana city reports for PFAS testing results in your area.
On EPA records, Greenwood has the highest water quality score in Indiana at 100/100 (Grade A). However, "best" depends on your specific health concerns. View our Best Water Quality in Indiana page for a complete ranking.
Public water systems in Indiana are required by the EPA to test water regularly. Testing frequency depends on the contaminant: bacteria testing occurs daily to weekly, while chemical contaminants may be tested quarterly or annually. Results are published in annual Consumer Confidence Reports. Our site aggregates this data from EPA's SDWIS database.
Compare water quality across counties and find data for your area