01The verdict: is Mecca water safe?
Mecca's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (82.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 905 residents using groundwater (wells).
Chlorate is over its legal limit
Measured at 330.0 µg/L against the EPA Lifetime HA of 210 µg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 2.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓A flood-prone service area
3 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Mecca's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 905 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 2.0 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 164 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved.
Mecca ranks #196 out of 402 cities in Indiana for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Mecca 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, Mecca may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Mecca's water
Every contaminant flagged in Mecca, 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.
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. | 2.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
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
03Mecca'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 164 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Mecca.
▼ Down 21 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 2 ppb (2024) — 13% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Mecca's water comes from
Mecca's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
905 people
Residents served across Mecca's service area.
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 905 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| INDIANA AMERICAN WATER - MECCA | IN5261004 | 905 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Mecca
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Mecca'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
3 facilities within 10 miles reported 110k 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
3 federal disaster declarations on record for Johnson County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Mecca compares
Scores for nearby Indiana cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Indiana average (71/100)
Mecca scores 82.8/100 — above the Indiana average of 71/100. It outscores 6 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 Mecca's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Mecca's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Mecca 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 Mecca, IN tap water safe to drink?
Mecca's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #196 out of 402 cities tested in Indiana.
What contaminants are in Mecca's water?
Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 164 violations are on record.
How is Mecca'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 Mecca?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Mecca's water come from?
Mecca's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 905 residents.
What health violations has Mecca's water system had?
Mecca has 6 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in November 2011. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 11 violations remain unresolved.
Is Mecca's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Mecca 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 164 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 Mecca's water compare to other cities?
Mecca ranks #196 out of 402 cities in Indiana (better than 51% of state cities) and #6723 out of 15382 cities nationally (56th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Mecca's small water system affect quality?
Mecca's system serves approximately 905 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 164 violations on record.