Is Darlington, IN Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Darlington ranks. What to do next ↓
92.8/100
waterverge.com Darlington, IN — Water Quality Report
Darlington's drinking water received a grade of A (92.8 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 860 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 3.3 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 4 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
What to know about Darlington's water
Darlington ranks #20 out of 414 cities in Indiana for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
Darlington relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Darlington may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Darlington, IN water safe to drink?
Based on EPA testing data, Darlington's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A (92.8/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 860 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Darlington
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Darlington's water quality assessment. Grade: A (92.8/100).
Contaminants: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U, Radium-226, Radium-228.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3238). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-1109). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Darlington's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Darlington's water system has 4 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved. 3 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Marion County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1991. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include White River, White River Below Dam, Crooked Creek, Fall Creek, Lake Maxinhall.
Where does Darlington's water come from?
Darlington's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 860 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include White River (river), White River Below Dam (river), Crooked Creek (river), Fall Creek (river), Lake Maxinhall (lake).
What Darlington residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
Darlington's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Darlington
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Darlington, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 1,269 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
NUCOR STEEL CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN47933 | Barium And Barium Compounds | 1,264 | 9.5 mi |
RAYBESTOS POWERTRAIN LLC CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN47933 | Lead | 3 | 7.1 mi |
ACUITY BRANDS LIGHTING CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN47933 | Copper | 1 | 7.5 mi |
STALCOP METAL FORMING LLC THORNTOWN, IN46071 | — | — | 8.4 mi |
CROWN FOOD PACKAGING CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN47933 | — | — | 7.9 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Marion County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1991. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 3.3 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Darlington compares by contaminant
Explore where Darlington ranks among all Indiana cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Darlington's water comes from
Darlington's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 860 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Darlington
Darlington is located near 5 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Darlington
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| DARLINGTON WATER | IN5254003 | 860 | GW |
How Darlington compares
Full Indiana rankings →Darlington's score of 92.8/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Indiana cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Indiana rankings →About Darlington, IN
Wikipedia →Indianapolis, colloquially known as Indy, is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the county seat of Marion County. Indianapolis is situated in the state's central till plain region along the west fork of the White River. The city's official slogan, "Crossroads of America", reflects its historic importance as a transportation hub and its relative proximity to other major North American markets.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Darlington's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Montgomery
Frequently asked questions
Is Darlington, IN tap water safe to drink?
Darlington's water quality earned a grade of A (92.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #20 out of 414 cities tested in Indiana.
What contaminants are in Darlington's water?
Lead was measured at 3.3 ppb (90th percentile). 4 violations are on record.
How is Darlington's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Darlington?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Darlington's water come from?
Darlington's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 860 residents.
Is Darlington's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Darlington uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 4 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Darlington's water compare to other cities?
Darlington ranks #20 out of 414 cities in Indiana (better than 95% of state cities) and #1120 out of 15744 cities nationally (93th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Darlington's small water system affect quality?
Darlington's system serves approximately 860 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 4 violations on record.