WaterVerge

Is Pierceton, IN Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded D, with 61 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 5 water systems PWSID: IN5243018
Overall Score
47 / 100
Violations
61 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#392 of 414 in Indiana Top 88% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
DGRADE
Water Quality Grade
47/100
waterverge.com
D 47/100

Pierceton, IN — Water Quality Report

Pierceton's drinking water received a grade of D (47 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 1,552 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 237 violations on record, including 42 health-based violations. 61 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Pierceton's water

Pierceton ranks #392 out of 414 cities in Indiana for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.

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

The system has seen 33 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
47 out of 100 Grade D
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
0/45
F
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
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Pierceton, IN water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Pierceton's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (47/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 1,552 residents using groundwater (wells).

61
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
3 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Pierceton

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Pierceton's water quality assessment. Grade: D (47/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule, Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. 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 Pierceton's water supply.

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Pierceton's water system has 237 total violations on record, including 42 health-based violations. 61 remain unresolved. 33 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MONMROtherTTRPTMCL
Most recent violations:
Dec 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Oct 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Oct 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Sep 2025 Groundwater Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Kosciusko 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, Pike Lake.

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

Where does Pierceton's water come from?

Pierceton's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 5 water systems serving approximately 1,552 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), Pike Lake (lake).

What Pierceton residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Pierceton'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

237
Total violations
42
Health-based
61
Active / unresolved
Dec 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

237 Total
61 Active
42 Health-based
176 Resolved
3 SNC
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
56
Consumer Confidence Rule
38
Arsenic Rule
37
Inorganic Chemicals
25
Volatile Organic Chemicals
21
Oct 2025 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Sep 2025 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Aug 2025 Active
Groundwater Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Oct 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Apr 2024 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2023 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2023 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2022 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2022 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Showing 20 of 237 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Pierceton

Industrial polluters nearby

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

Total reported releases to surface water: 23 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
ESSEX FURUKAWA MAGNET WIRE USA LLC - PLANT #202
Primary Metals · ESSEX SOLUTIONS USA LLC
COLUMBIA CITY, IN46725
Copper compounds197.9 mi
AKZO NOBEL COATINGS
Chemicals · AKZO NOBEL INC
WARSAW, IN46580
Manganese compounds49.5 mi
PARAGON MEDICAL INC
Miscellaneous Manufacturing · AMETEK INC
PIERCETON, IN46562
0.3 mi
ALUDYNE PIERCETON
Primary Metals · ALUDYNE INC
PIERCETON, IN46562
1.0 mi
RIEPEN LLC (DBA DANCO MEDICAL)
Fabricated Metals · DANCO ANODIZING
WARSAW, IN46580
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

Kosciusko 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) 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 2027 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,552
Water Systems
5
Water Source

Where Pierceton's water comes from

Groundwater

Pierceton'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 1,552 people through 5 water systems.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Pierceton

Pierceton is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Tippecanoe River
river
Pike Lake
lake
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Pierceton

System Name PWSID Population Source
PIERCETON WATER WORKS IN5243018 928 GW
REGENCY POINTE ESTATES MOBILE HOME PARK IN5243011 345 GW
MERRYWOOD MOBILE HOME PARK IN5243014 210 GW
RILEY RESORT LAND TRUST IN5243063 39 GW
OAK WOOD CIRCLE IN5243064 30 GW
Regional Comparison

How Pierceton compares

Full Indiana rankings →

Pierceton's score of 47/100 is below the average of 70/100 among major Indiana cities. It outscores 1 of 10 nearby cities. 9 of 10 nearby cities score higher.

Pierceton (this city)
47
Fort Wayne
49.5
Evansville
85.2
Indiana avg
70
City Profile

About Pierceton, IN

Wikipedia →

Pierceton is a town in Washington Township, Kosciusko County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 928 at the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$54,962
Median Income
$100,385
Median Home Value
$805/mo
Median Rent
2.5%
Unemployment
Community
33.6
Median Age
416
People / sq mi
18.7%
College Educated
63.1%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Pierceton, IN tap water safe to drink?

Pierceton's water quality earned a grade of D (47/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #392 out of 414 cities tested in Indiana.

What contaminants are in Pierceton's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 237 violations are on record.

How is Pierceton'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 Pierceton?

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

Where does Pierceton's water come from?

Pierceton's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 5 water systems serving approximately 1,552 residents.

What health violations has Pierceton's water system had?

Pierceton has 42 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 61 violations remain unresolved.

Is Pierceton's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Pierceton 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 237 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 Pierceton's water compare to other cities?

Pierceton ranks #392 out of 414 cities in Indiana (better than 5% of state cities) and #13768 out of 15744 cities nationally (13th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.