01The verdict: is Swayzee water safe?
Swayzee's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C- (56.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 975 residents using groundwater (wells).
10 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓975 people, 1 system
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓31 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Swayzee's drinking water received a grade of C- (56.7 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 975 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 8.5 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 67 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved.
Swayzee ranks #364 out of 402 cities in Indiana for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. Swayzee 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. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Swayzee may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 31 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Swayzee's water
Every contaminant flagged in Swayzee, 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. | 8.5 | 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
03Swayzee'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 67 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved.
2 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 0.46 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 8.5 ppb (2024) — 56% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Swayzee's water comes from
Swayzee'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.
975 people
Residents served across Swayzee'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 975 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWAYZEE WATER UTILITY | IN5227020 | 975 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Swayzee
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Swayzee'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
5 facilities within 10 miles reported 15 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
2 federal disaster declarations on record for Grant County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Swayzee compares
Scores for nearby Indiana cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Indiana average (71/100)
Swayzee scores 56.7/100 — below the Indiana average of 71/100. It outscores 3 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 Swayzee's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 8.5 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Swayzee alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Swayzee, IN tap water safe to drink?
Swayzee's water quality earned a grade of C- (56.7/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #364 out of 402 cities tested in Indiana.
What contaminants are in Swayzee's water?
Lead was measured at 8.5 ppb (90th percentile). 67 violations are on record.
How is Swayzee'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 Swayzee?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Swayzee's water come from?
Swayzee's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 975 residents.
Is Swayzee's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Swayzee 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 67 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 Swayzee's water compare to other cities?
Swayzee ranks #364 out of 402 cities in Indiana (better than 9% of state cities) and #12214 out of 15382 cities nationally (21th percentile). The grade of C- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Swayzee's small water system affect quality?
Swayzee's system serves approximately 975 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 67 violations on record.