WaterVerge

Is English, IN Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B, with 11 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

886 residents served 1 water system PWSID: IN5213002
Overall Score
76.1 / 100
Violations
11 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#283 of 414 in Indiana Top 60% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
BGRADE
Water Quality Grade
76.1/100
waterverge.com
B 76.1/100

English, IN — Water Quality Report

English's drinking water received a grade of B (76.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 886 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 24 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about English's water

English ranks #283 out of 414 cities in Indiana for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.

As a small community water system, English may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 9 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
76.1 out of 100 Grade B
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
32.1/45
C
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
3/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is English, IN water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

English's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (76.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 886 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

11
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
5 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for English

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into English's water quality assessment. Grade: B (76.1/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4882). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4363). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for English's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

English's water system has 24 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved. 9 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMR
Most recent violations:
Oct 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Apr 2025 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Apr 2025 TTHM Resolved
Jul 2024 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Crawford County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1979. 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 Whiskey Run.

SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4882
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4363
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3238

Where does English's water come from?

English's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 886 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Whiskey Run (river).

What English residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in English's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

English'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

24
Total violations
0
Health-based
11
Active / unresolved
Oct 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

24 Total
11 Active
0 Health-based
13 Resolved
Violations by category
Consumer Confidence Rule
8
Inorganic Chemicals
6
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Lead and Copper Rule
2
Total Coliform Rule
2
Oct 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2024 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2021 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2010 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2008 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 1999 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Apr 2025 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Jan 2012 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jan 2012
Jul 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 1994
Jun 1980 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1980
Oct 1979 Resolved
Fluoride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1979
Oct 1979 Resolved
Barium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1979
Oct 1979 Resolved
Chromium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1979
Oct 1979 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1979
Showing 20 of 24 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D1 — moderate drought

Crawford County is currently in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

4.2%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

5
Declared disasters
Jul 2025
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Crawford County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1979. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Jul 2025
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4882
May 2018
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4363
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3238
Apr 1996
BLIZZARD OF 96
Flood FEMA #1109
Jul 1979
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #596

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 2.0 ppb from 1993 (2.0 ppb) to 2024 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
886
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where English's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

English's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 886 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near English

English is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.

Whiskey Run
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving English

System Name PWSID Population Source
ENGLISH WATER WORKS IN5213002 886 SWP
Regional Comparison

How English compares

Full Indiana rankings →

English's score of 76.1/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Indiana cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.

English (this city)
76.1
Fort Wayne
49.5
Evansville
85.2
Indiana avg
70
City Profile

About English, IN

Economic Profile
$26,599
Median Income
$72,078
Median Home Value
$500/mo
Median Rent
3%
Unemployment
Community
26.3
Median Age
140
People / sq mi
2.3%
College Educated
69.5%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is English, IN tap water safe to drink?

English's water quality earned a grade of B (76.1/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #283 out of 414 cities tested in Indiana.

What contaminants are in English's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 24 violations are on record.

How is English'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 English?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does English's water come from?

English's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 886 residents.

How does English's water compare to other cities?

English ranks #283 out of 414 cities in Indiana (better than 32% of state cities) and #9400 out of 15744 cities nationally (40th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does English's small water system affect quality?

English's system serves approximately 886 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 24 violations on record.