WaterVerge

Is Liberty, 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 ↓

3K residents served 3 water systems PWSID: IN5281001
Overall Score
76.6 / 100
Violations
11 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#279 of 414 in Indiana Top 59% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
BGRADE
Water Quality Grade
76.6/100
waterverge.com
B 76.6/100

Liberty, IN — Water Quality Report

Liberty's drinking water received a grade of B (76.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 2,692 residents using groundwater.

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 107 violations on record, including 15 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Liberty's water

Liberty ranks #279 out of 414 cities in Indiana for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

Liberty 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, Liberty 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 →
76.6 out of 100 Grade B
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
26.6/45
D
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
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Liberty, IN water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Liberty's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (76.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 2,692 residents using groundwater (wells).

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

Recent water quality updates for Liberty

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Liberty's water quality assessment. Grade: B (76.6/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

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

Disaster
BLIZZARD OF 96

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 Liberty's water supply.

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Liberty's water system has 107 total violations on record, including 15 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved. 9 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMONMRMCL
Most recent violations:
Oct 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Sep 2023 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jul 2023 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Union County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1996. 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 East Fork Whitewater River.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3238
BLIZZARD OF 96
Flood FEMA DR-1109

Where does Liberty's water come from?

Liberty's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 2,692 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include East Fork Whitewater River (river).

What Liberty residents can do

Install a water filter

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

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

107
Total violations
15
Health-based
11
Active / unresolved
Oct 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

107 Total
11 Active
15 Health-based
96 Resolved
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
63
Total Coliform Rule
22
Nitrate Rule
9
Consumer Confidence Rule
6
Lead and Copper Rule
4
Oct 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Mar 2023 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2022 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2021 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2009 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2008 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2007 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2000 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Sep 2023 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Sep 2023
Jan 2023 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2023
Oct 2000 Resolved
1,1-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2000
Oct 2000 Resolved
1,2-Dichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2000
Oct 2000 Resolved
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2000
Oct 2000 Resolved
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2000
Oct 2000 Resolved
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2000
Oct 2000 Resolved
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2000
Oct 2000 Resolved
Xylenes, Total
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2000
Showing 20 of 107 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Liberty

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
PROTECH POWDER COATINGS INC
Chemicals · PROTECH US HOLDINGS INC
LIBERTY, IN47353
0.4 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

2
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Union County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1996. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3238
Apr 1996
BLIZZARD OF 96
Flood FEMA #1109

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 1.0 ppb from 1993 (1.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
2,692
Water Systems
3
Source breakdown
Groundwater
2
Purchased Groundwater
1
Water Source

Where Liberty's water comes from

Groundwater

Liberty'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 2,692 people through 3 water systems.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Liberty

Liberty is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

East Fork Whitewater River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Liberty

System Name PWSID Population Source
LIBERTY WATER WORKS IN5281001 2,133 GW
HERITAGE HILLS CAMPGROUND IN5281029 525 GWP
LIBERTY COUNTRY CLUB- HOUSING DEVELOP. IN5281003 34 GW
Regional Comparison

How Liberty compares

Full Indiana rankings →

Liberty's score of 76.6/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Indiana cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.

Liberty (this city)
76.6
Fort Wayne
49.5
Evansville
85.2
Indiana avg
70
City Profile

About Liberty, IN

Wikipedia →

Liberty is a town in and the county seat of Union County, Indiana, United States, located about 5 miles (8.0 km) west of the state's border with Ohio. The population was 2,000 at the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$57,754
Median Income
$121,395
Median Home Value
$741/mo
Median Rent
3.4%
Unemployment
Community
46
Median Age
1,023
People / sq mi
18.9%
College Educated
69.5%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Liberty, IN tap water safe to drink?

Liberty's water quality earned a grade of B (76.6/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #279 out of 414 cities tested in Indiana.

What contaminants are in Liberty's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 107 violations are on record.

How is Liberty'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 Liberty?

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

Where does Liberty's water come from?

Liberty's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 2,692 residents.

What health violations has Liberty's water system had?

Liberty has 15 health-based violations 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 Liberty's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Liberty 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 107 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 Liberty's water compare to other cities?

Liberty ranks #279 out of 414 cities in Indiana (better than 33% of state cities) and #9248 out of 15744 cities nationally (41th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.