Is Long Beach, IN Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 6 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
88.3/100
Long Beach, IN — Water Quality Report
Long Beach's drinking water received a grade of A- (88.3 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,050 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.5 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 133 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved.
What to know about Long Beach's water
Long Beach ranks #91 out of 414 cities in Indiana for water quality, placing it above 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, Long Beach may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Long Beach, IN water safe to drink?
Long Beach's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (88.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,050 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Long Beach
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Long Beach's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (88.3/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4363). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
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 Long Beach's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Long Beach's water system has 133 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
LaPorte County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1982. 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 Trail Creek.
Where does Long Beach's water come from?
Long Beach's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,050 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Trail Creek (river).
What Long Beach residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Long Beach's water.
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.
Long Beach'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 Long Beach
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Long Beach, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 25,091 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
CLEVELAND-CLIFFS BURNS HARBOR LLC BURNS HARBOR, IN46304 | Manganese And Manganese Compounds | 21,531 | 9.1 mi |
NIPSCO MICHIGAN CITY GENERATING STATION MICHIGAN CITY, IN46360 | Barium compounds (except for barium sulfate (CAS No. 7727-43-7)) | 3,552 | 3.4 mi |
WM TECHNOLOGIES LLC MICHIGAN CITY, IN46360 | Manganese | 8 | 2.5 mi |
BUILDING MATERIALS MANUFACTURING LLC MICHIGAN CITY, IN46360 | — | — | 2.3 mi |
DIAMOND MIDWEST MICHIGAN CITY, IN46360 | — | — | 1.8 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
LaPorte County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1982. 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. | 0.5 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Long Beach compares by contaminant
Explore where Long Beach ranks among all Indiana cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Long Beach's water comes from
Long Beach'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 2,050 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Long Beach
Long Beach is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Long Beach
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| LONG BEACH WATER DEPARTMENT | IN5246028 | 2,050 | SWP |
How Long Beach compares
Full Indiana rankings →Long Beach's score of 88.3/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Indiana cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Indiana rankings →About Long Beach, IN
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Long Beach's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Laporte
Frequently asked questions
Is Long Beach, IN tap water safe to drink?
Long Beach's water quality earned a grade of A- (88.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #91 out of 414 cities tested in Indiana.
What contaminants are in Long Beach's water?
Lead was measured at 0.5 ppb (90th percentile). 133 violations are on record.
How is Long Beach'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 Long Beach?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Long Beach's water come from?
Long Beach's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,050 residents.
How does Long Beach's water compare to other cities?
Long Beach ranks #91 out of 414 cities in Indiana (better than 78% of state cities) and #3526 out of 15744 cities nationally (78th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Long Beach's small water system affect quality?
Long Beach's system serves approximately 2,050 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 133 violations on record.