WaterVerge

Is Francesville, 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 ↓

969 residents served 1 water system PWSID: IN5266001
Overall Score
74.5 / 100
Violations
11 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#303 of 414 in Indiana Top 63% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
74.5/100
waterverge.com
B- 74.5/100

Francesville, IN — Water Quality Report

Francesville's drinking water received a grade of B- (74.5 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 969 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 4.2 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 57 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 11 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Francesville's water

Francesville ranks #303 out of 414 cities in Indiana for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

Francesville 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, Francesville may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 8 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
74.5 out of 100 Grade B-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
26.5/45
D
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
18/20
A
Lead at 4.2 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Francesville, IN water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Francesville's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (74.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 969 residents using groundwater (wells).

11
Active Violations
4.2 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
3 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Francesville

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Francesville's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (74.5/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Groundwater Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

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

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3238). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 4.2 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Francesville's water system has 57 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 11 remain unresolved. 8 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMRTTRPT
Most recent violations:
Oct 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Feb 2025 Groundwater Rule Open
Jan 2025 TTHM Resolved
Jan 2025 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Pulaski 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 Tippecanoe River, Big Monon Ditch, Rain Gage.

SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4363
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3238
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-891

Where does Francesville's water come from?

Francesville's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 969 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Tippecanoe River (river), Big Monon Ditch (river), Rain Gage (river).

What Francesville residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

Monitor alerts during storms

Francesville'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
4.2 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 28% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

57
Total violations
1
Health-based
11
Active / unresolved
Oct 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

57 Total
11 Active
1 Health-based
46 Resolved
1 SNC
Violations by category
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
28
Consumer Confidence Rule
6
Inorganic Chemicals
6
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
4
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
3
Oct 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Feb 2025 Active
Groundwater Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Feb 2023 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jan 2019 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
May 2017 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jan 2016 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2015 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2000 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2025 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2025
Jan 2025 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2025
Jan 2016 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2016
Jan 2010 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2010 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2010 Resolved
Simazine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2010 Resolved
Picloram
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2010 Resolved
Heptachlor epoxide
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2010 Resolved
2,4-D
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Showing 20 of 57 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Francesville

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Francesville, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
IROQUOIS BIO-ENERGY CO LLC
Chemicals · HARVESTONE GROUP
RENSSELAER, IN47978
9.9 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

3
Declared disasters
May 2018
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Pulaski 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.

May 2018
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4363
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3238
Jan 1991
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #891

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 4.2 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 0.8 ppb from 1993 (5.0 ppb) to 2024 (4.2 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Francesville compares by contaminant

Explore where Francesville ranks among all Indiana cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
969
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Francesville's water comes from

Groundwater

Francesville'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 969 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Francesville

Francesville is located near 3 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Tippecanoe River
river
Big Monon Ditch
river
Rain Gage
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Francesville

System Name PWSID Population Source
FRANCESVILLE WATER DEPARTMENT IN5266001 969 GW
Regional Comparison

How Francesville compares

Full Indiana rankings →

Francesville's score of 74.5/100 is on par with the average of 70/100 among major Indiana cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.

Francesville (this city)
74.5
Fort Wayne
49.5
Evansville
85.2
Indiana avg
70
City Profile

About Francesville, IN

Wikipedia →

Francesville is a town in Salem Township, Pulaski County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 852 at the 2020 census. The motto for Francesville is “A small town with a big heart.”

Economic Profile
$71,538
Median Income
$118,218
Median Home Value
$857/mo
Median Rent
5.3%
Unemployment
Community
38.3
Median Age
525
People / sq mi
19.9%
College Educated
75.8%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Francesville, IN tap water safe to drink?

Francesville's water quality earned a grade of B- (74.5/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #303 out of 414 cities tested in Indiana.

What contaminants are in Francesville's water?

Lead was measured at 4.2 ppb (90th percentile). 57 violations are on record.

How is Francesville'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 Francesville?

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

Where does Francesville's water come from?

Francesville's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 969 residents.

What health violations has Francesville's water system had?

Francesville has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 11 violations remain unresolved.

Is Francesville's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Francesville 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 57 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 Francesville's water compare to other cities?

Francesville ranks #303 out of 414 cities in Indiana (better than 27% of state cities) and #9844 out of 15744 cities nationally (38th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Francesville's small water system affect quality?

Francesville's system serves approximately 969 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 57 violations on record.