WaterVerge

Is Sheridan, IN Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A — but Copper, Strontium and 1 more were detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓

4K residents served 1 water system PWSID: IN5229014
Overall Score
92.2 / 100
Violations
None active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#24 of 414 in Indiana Top 9% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
92.2/100
waterverge.com
A 92.2/100

Sheridan, IN — Water Quality Report

Sheridan's drinking water received a grade of A (92.2 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 4,435 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 5 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.

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

What to know about Sheridan's water

Sheridan ranks #24 out of 414 cities in Indiana for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

Sheridan 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.

Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.03 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
92.2 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.6/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
16/20
B
Lead at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
16.6/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Sheridan, IN water safe to drink?

Generally Safe

Based on EPA testing data, Sheridan's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A (92.2/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 4,435 residents using groundwater (wells).

None
Violations
2.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
3 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Sheridan

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Sheridan's water quality assessment. Grade: A (92.2/100).

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.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Sheridan's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 2.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Copper Exceeds Limit
Detected: 1.90 mg/L Limit: 1.3 mg/L (EPA Action Level)

Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.

Violation history

Sheridan's water system has 5 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.

MRMCL
Most recent violations:
Jan 1998 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Dec 1994 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Aug 1993 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Aug 1992 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jun 1980 Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Johnson 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 White River, Germania Creek, Neeld Ditch, Eagle Creek, White R..

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

Where does Sheridan's water come from?

Sheridan's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 4,435 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include White River (river), Germania Creek (river), Neeld Ditch (river), Eagle Creek (river), White R. (river).

What Sheridan residents can do

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

Sheridan'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
2.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 13% of limit
Safe Level
Copper (90th percentile)
Inorganic
Over Limit
1.90 mg/L
EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L · +20% over limit
Exceeds Limit
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent Chromium)
Inorganic
Detected
0.03 µg/L
CA MCL (no federal MCL): 10 µg/L · 0% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Strontium
Inorganic
Over HRL
1830.0 µg/L
EPA Health Ref Level: 1,500 µg/L · +20% over limit
Over HRLUCMR 3 Data
Molybdenum
Inorganic
Over HA
67.10 µg/L
EPA Lifetime HA: 40 µg/L · +20% over limit
Over Health AdvisoryUCMR 3 Data
Compliance Record

Violation summary

5
Total violations
2
Health-based
0
Active / unresolved
Jan 1998
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

5 Total
0 Active
2 Health-based
5 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
4
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
1
Jan 1998 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jan 1998
Dec 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1994
Aug 1993 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Aug 1993
Aug 1992 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Aug 1992
Jun 1980 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1980
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Sheridan

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
EMC PRECISION II
Fabricated Metals · NA
SHERIDAN, IN46069
0.2 mi
COUNTRYMARK REFINING & LOGISTICS LLC
Petroleum Bulk Terminals · COUNTRYMARK COOPERATIVE HOLDING CORP
WESTFIELD, IN46074
6.1 mi
INDIANA MILLS & MANUFACTURING INC.
Transportation Equipment · NA
WESTFIELD, IN46074
6.9 mi
WEAS ENGINEERING
Chemicals · NA
WESTFIELD, IN46074
7.5 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of Sheridan

Superfund sites nearby

Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.

Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

3
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Johnson 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

Recommended water filters

Based on contaminants detected in Sheridan's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.

🔧
For Copper
Reverse Osmosis or KDF Filter
Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 2.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Copper (90th percentile) 1.90 1.3 mg/L Inorganic Over Limit
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has increased by 1.0 ppb from 1993 (1.0 ppb) to 2025 (2.0 ppb).

Copper level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L
Copper has increased by 0.400 mg/L from 1993 (1.500 mg/L) to 2008 (1.900 mg/L).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
4,435
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Sheridan's water comes from

Groundwater

Sheridan'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 4,435 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Sheridan

Sheridan is located near 5 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

White River
river
Germania Creek
river
Neeld Ditch
river
Eagle Creek
river
White R.
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Sheridan

System Name PWSID Population Source
INDIANA AMERICAN WATER - SHERIDAN IN5229014 4,435 GW
Regional Comparison

How Sheridan compares

Full Indiana rankings →

Sheridan's score of 92.2/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Indiana cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Sheridan (this city)
92.2
Fort Wayne
49.5
Evansville
85.2
Indiana avg
70
City Profile

About Sheridan, IN

Wikipedia →

Greenwood is a city in Johnson County, Indiana, United States. The population was 63,830 at the 2020 Census. Greenwood is located southeast of central Indianapolis between Interstate 65 and Interstate 69. It is the most populous suburban municipality in the southern portion of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area.

Economic Profile
$58,021
Median Income
$168,717
Median Home Value
$772/mo
Median Rent
7.6%
Unemployment
Community
39.2
Median Age
646
People / sq mi
18.8%
College Educated
66.9%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Sheridan, IN tap water safe to drink?

Sheridan's water quality earned a grade of A (92.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #24 out of 414 cities tested in Indiana.

What contaminants are in Sheridan's water?

Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 5 violations are on record.

How is Sheridan'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 Sheridan?

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

Where does Sheridan's water come from?

Sheridan's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 4,435 residents.

What health violations has Sheridan's water system had?

Sheridan has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 1998. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.

Is Sheridan's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Sheridan 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 5 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 Sheridan's water compare to other cities?

Sheridan ranks #24 out of 414 cities in Indiana (better than 94% of state cities) and #1332 out of 15744 cities nationally (92th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.