01The verdict: is Dugger water safe?
Dugger's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (71.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,935 residents using groundwater (wells).
Lead is over its legal limit
Measured at 17.0 ppb against the EPA Action Level of 15 ppb. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓2K people, 1 system
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓2 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Dugger's drinking water received a grade of B- (71.1 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,935 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 17.0 ppb (90th percentile), which exceeds the EPA action level of 15 ppb. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 15 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved.
Dugger ranks #324 out of 402 cities in Indiana for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. Dugger purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition. Lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb, which typically indicates aging lead service lines or lead solder in the distribution system. An NSF 53-certified filter is strongly recommended for drinking and cooking water. As a small community water system, Dugger may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Dugger's water
Every contaminant flagged in Dugger, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
Exceeds the EPA action level. Lead enters at the service line, not the treatment plant — your address matters more than the city average. Lead service line replacement and an NSF 53-certified point-of-use filter are recommended.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. | 17.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Indiana
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Indiana
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Dugger's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 15 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved.
8 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 16 ppb since 1993. The latest reading (17 ppb, 2002) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Dugger's water comes from
Dugger purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
1,935 people
Residents served across Dugger's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Dugger's local distribution pipes and storage facilities. Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,935 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| DUGGER UTILITIES | IN5277002 | 1,935 | Purchased Groundwater |
Water bodies near Dugger
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Dugger's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
4 facilities within 10 miles reported 2k lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
4 federal disaster declarations on record for Sullivan County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Dugger compares
Scores for nearby Indiana cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Indiana average (71/100)
Dugger scores 71.1/100 — on par with the Indiana average of 71/100. It outscores 4 of 10 nearby cities. Full Indiana rankings →
65.8 / 100DFort Wayne, IN
49.5 / 100AGary, IN
92.9 / 100BMerrillville, IN
72.1 / 100AEvansville, IN
85.2 / 100FSouth Bend, IN
39.3 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Dugger's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter. Lead level (17.0 ppb) exceeds the EPA action level of 15 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Dugger alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Dugger, IN tap water safe to drink?
Dugger's water quality earned a grade of B- (71.1/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #324 out of 402 cities tested in Indiana.
What contaminants are in Dugger's water?
Lead was measured at 17.0 ppb (90th percentile). 15 violations are on record.
How is Dugger'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 Dugger?
Yes — lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb. We recommend an NSF 53-certified filter or reverse osmosis system. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Dugger's water come from?
Dugger's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,935 residents.
What health violations has Dugger's water system had?
Dugger has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 8 violations remain unresolved.
Is Dugger's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Dugger 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 15 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 Dugger's water compare to other cities?
Dugger ranks #324 out of 402 cities in Indiana (better than 19% of state cities) and #10474 out of 15382 cities nationally (32th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Dugger's small water system affect quality?
Dugger's system serves approximately 1,935 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 15 violations on record.