WaterVerge

Is Montpelier, IN Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 5 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: IN5205004
Overall Score
89.5 / 100
Violations
5 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#62 of 414 in Indiana Top 18% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
89.5/100
waterverge.com
A- 89.5/100

Montpelier, IN — Water Quality Report

Montpelier's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,800 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 26 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Montpelier's water

Montpelier ranks #62 out of 414 cities in Indiana for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
89.5 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
39.5/45
B
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 Montpelier, IN water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Montpelier's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (89.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,800 residents using groundwater (wells).

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

Recent water quality updates for Montpelier

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Montpelier's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (89.5/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

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

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

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 Montpelier's water supply.

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Montpelier's water system has 26 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMR
Most recent violations:
Oct 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Mar 2003 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Dec 2001 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jul 2001 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Blackford 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.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3238
BLIZZARD OF 96
Flood FEMA DR-1109
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-891

Where does Montpelier's water come from?

Montpelier's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,800 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Montpelier residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Montpelier'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

26
Total violations
0
Health-based
5
Active / unresolved
Oct 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

26 Total
5 Active
0 Health-based
21 Resolved
Violations by category
Inorganic Chemicals
12
Consumer Confidence Rule
4
Total Coliform Rule
3
Nitrate Rule
3
Arsenic Rule
2
Oct 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2001 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2000 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Mar 2003 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2003
Dec 2001 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2001
Jan 2001 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2001
Jan 2001 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jan 2001
Oct 1980 Resolved
Barium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1981
Oct 1980 Resolved
Arsenic
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1981
Oct 1980 Resolved
Fluoride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1981
Oct 1980 Resolved
Chromium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1981
Oct 1980 Resolved
Selenium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1981
Oct 1980 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1981
Oct 1980 Resolved
Cadmium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1981
Oct 1980 Resolved
Mercury
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1981
Jun 1980 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1980
Oct 1979 Resolved
Chromium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1982
Oct 1979 Resolved
Selenium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1982
Showing 20 of 26 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Montpelier

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
3M CO - HARTFORD CITY
Paper · 3M CO
HARTFORD CITY, IN47348
8.0 mi
NEW INDY CONTAINERBOAD HARTFORD CITY MILL
Paper · NEW-INDY CONTAINERBOARD LLC
HARTFORD CITY, IN47348
8.2 mi
BRC RUBBER& PLASTICS INC
Plastics and Rubber · BRC RUBBER & PLASTICS INC
MONTPELIER, IN47359
0.2 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

3
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Blackford 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.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3238
Apr 1996
BLIZZARD OF 96
Flood FEMA #1109
Jan 1991
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #891

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 3.0 ppb from 1993 (3.0 ppb) to 2024 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,800
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Montpelier's water comes from

Groundwater

Montpelier'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 1,800 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Montpelier

System Name PWSID Population Source
MONTPELIER WATER WORKS IN5205004 1,800 GW
Regional Comparison

How Montpelier compares

Full Indiana rankings →

Montpelier's score of 89.5/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Indiana cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Montpelier (this city)
89.5
Fort Wayne
49.5
Evansville
85.2
Indiana avg
70
City Profile

About Montpelier, IN

Economic Profile
$47,734
Median Income
$70,809
Median Home Value
$762/mo
Median Rent
5.1%
Unemployment
Community
48.6
Median Age
380
People / sq mi
8.9%
College Educated
65.3%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Montpelier, IN tap water safe to drink?

Montpelier's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #62 out of 414 cities tested in Indiana.

What contaminants are in Montpelier's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 26 violations are on record.

How is Montpelier'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 Montpelier?

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

Where does Montpelier's water come from?

Montpelier's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,800 residents.

Is Montpelier's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Montpelier 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 26 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 Montpelier's water compare to other cities?

Montpelier ranks #62 out of 414 cities in Indiana (better than 85% of state cities) and #2796 out of 15744 cities nationally (82th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Montpelier's small water system affect quality?

Montpelier's system serves approximately 1,800 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 26 violations on record.