WaterVerge

Is Trafalgar, IN Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: IN5241014
Overall Score
86.2 / 100
Violations
3 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased ground water
#135 of 414 in Indiana Top 31% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
86.2/100
waterverge.com
A- 86.2/100

Trafalgar, IN — Water Quality Report

Trafalgar's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,490 residents using purchased ground water.

Lead levels were measured at 4.0 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 15 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Trafalgar's water

Trafalgar ranks #135 out of 414 cities in Indiana for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Trafalgar purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.

As a small community water system, Trafalgar may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 7 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
86.2 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
39.2/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
17/20
B
Lead at 4.0 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: Purchased ground water.
Water Safety

Is Trafalgar, IN water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Trafalgar's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (86.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,490 residents using groundwater (wells).

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

Recent water quality updates for Trafalgar

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Trafalgar's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (86.2/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

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

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 Trafalgar's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 4.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Trafalgar's water system has 15 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved. 7 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMRMONRPT
Most recent violations:
Oct 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2024 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jan 2024 TTHM Resolved
Jan 2022 TTHM Resolved
Jan 2022 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 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 Youngs Creek.

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

Where does Trafalgar's water come from?

Trafalgar's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,490 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Youngs Creek (river).

What Trafalgar residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

Monitor alerts during storms

Trafalgar'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
4.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 27% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

15
Total violations
0
Health-based
3
Active / unresolved
Oct 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

15 Total
3 Active
0 Health-based
12 Resolved
Violations by category
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
6
Total Coliform Rule
5
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
Revised Total Coliform Rule
2
Oct 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Aug 2021 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2009 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2024 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2024
Jan 2024 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2024
Jan 2022 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Oct 2021 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Oct 2021
Jan 2014 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2014
Jan 2014 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2014
Nov 2006 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 2006
Mar 2000 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2000
Jun 1999 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1999
May 1999 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 1999
Apr 1999 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Apr 1999
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Trafalgar

Industrial polluters nearby

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

Total reported releases to surface water: 8 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
ESSEX SOLUTIONS MAGNET WIRE USA LLC
Primary Metals · ESSEX SOLUTIONS USA LLC
FRANKLIN, IN46131
N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone88.9 mi
TOPPAN PACKAGING USA INC.
Printing · TOPPAN PACKAGING USA INC
EDINBURGH, IN46124
9.0 mi
US ARMY NATIONAL GUARD CAMP ATTERBURY RANGES
Other · US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
EDINBURGH, IN46124
6.3 mi
KYB AMERICAS CORP
Transportation Equipment · NA
FRANKLIN, IN46131
8.0 mi
ELECTRO-SPEC INC
Fabricated Metals · ELECTRO-SPEC INC
FRANKLIN, IN46131
7.5 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

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

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 4.0 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 1997 (5.0 ppb) to 2001 (4.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,490
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Trafalgar's water comes from

Purchased Groundwater

Trafalgar purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.

Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Trafalgar's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.

Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,490 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Trafalgar

Trafalgar is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Youngs Creek
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Trafalgar

System Name PWSID Population Source
TRAFALGAR WATER DEPARTMENT IN5241014 1,490 GWP
Regional Comparison

How Trafalgar compares

Full Indiana rankings →

Trafalgar's score of 86.2/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Indiana cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Trafalgar (this city)
86.2
Fort Wayne
49.5
Evansville
85.2
Indiana avg
70
City Profile

About Trafalgar, IN

Wikipedia →

Trafalgar is a town in Nineveh and Hensley townships, Johnson County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, Trafalgar had a population of 1,422.

Economic Profile
$81,389
Median Income
$181,552
Median Home Value
$938/mo
Median Rent
5.9%
Unemployment
Community
41.2
Median Age
166
People / sq mi
21.5%
College Educated
75.2%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Trafalgar, IN tap water safe to drink?

Trafalgar's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #135 out of 414 cities tested in Indiana.

What contaminants are in Trafalgar's water?

Lead was measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile). 15 violations are on record.

How is Trafalgar'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 Trafalgar?

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

Where does Trafalgar's water come from?

Trafalgar's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,490 residents.

Is Trafalgar's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Trafalgar 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 15 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 Trafalgar's water compare to other cities?

Trafalgar ranks #135 out of 414 cities in Indiana (better than 67% of state cities) and #4868 out of 15744 cities nationally (69th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Trafalgar's small water system affect quality?

Trafalgar's system serves approximately 1,490 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 15 violations on record.