Arsenic Contamination

Arsenic in Indiana Drinking Water

Ranked by arsenic violation count · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

167

Cities Tested

167

Has Violations

100%

% Has Violations

3.0 violations

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

305

Health Violations

Analysis

Arsenic in Indiana: what the data shows

Indiana has 167 cities with arsenic-related violations on record. Arsenic contamination is a federal MCL violation at levels above 10 µg/L (10 ppb). The state has 167 cities with at least one arsenic violation. Arsenic enters drinking water primarily through erosion of natural deposits, particularly in western states with arsenite-bearing geology. Industrial sources include mining runoff, glass manufacturing, and semiconductor production. Groundwater systems are significantly more likely to have arsenic issues than surface water systems. Long-term arsenic exposure above the MCL increases the risk of bladder, lung, and skin cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Reverse osmosis and specialized arsenic-removal media are the most effective point-of-use treatment options.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 10 µg/L EPA MCL

Indiana

100%

167 of 167 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

5489 of 5489 cities

City Map

Arsenic data across Indiana

Each dot is a city with arsenic violation data. Cities with at least one arsenic-related violation are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by arsenic level in Indiana

Highest Arsenic levels (violations)

All Cities

All Indiana cities ranked by arsenic level

#	City	Level	Violations?	Violations	Grade
1	Pierceton	37 violations	Yes	42	D
2	Kingman	32 violations	Yes	39	C
3	Indianapolis	29 violations	Yes	31	C+
4	Peru	21 violations	Yes	69	D
5	Warsaw	14 violations	Yes	46	F
6	Angola	13 violations	Yes	42	F
7	Lafayette	12 violations	Yes	24	F
8	Monticello	12 violations	Yes	24	D
9	South Bend	10 violations	Yes	7	F
10	Etna Green	8 violations	Yes	8	B
11	Kokomo	7 violations	Yes	24	F
12	Fountain City	7 violations	Yes	6	D+
13	Middlebury	6 violations	Yes	8	B+
14	Bristol	6 violations	Yes	9	D+
15	Reynolds	6 violations	Yes	1	C+
16	North Salem	6 violations	Yes	6	A
17	Noblesville	5 violations	Yes	24	D
18	Greensburg	5 violations	Yes	29	D
19	Wabash	5 violations	Yes	30	F
20	Plymouth	5 violations	Yes	16	D
21	North Manchester	5 violations	Yes	11	B+
22	Oakland City	5 violations	Yes	6	B
23	Mentone	5 violations	Yes	0	A-
24	Bloomington	4 violations	Yes	45	D
25	Michigan City	4 violations	Yes	12	F
26	Laporte	4 violations	Yes	3	D+
27	Salem	4 violations	Yes	84	D
28	Mount Vernon	4 violations	Yes	37	B-
29	Ossian	4 violations	Yes	1	A-
30	Fairmount	4 violations	Yes	7	C
31	Jamestown	4 violations	Yes	3	A
32	Howe	4 violations	Yes	5	B
33	Muncie	3 violations	Yes	7	D
34	Goshen	3 violations	Yes	24	D
35	Madison	3 violations	Yes	4	C+
36	North Vernon	3 violations	Yes	106	D
37	Patriot	3 violations	Yes	0	B-
38	Speedway	3 violations	Yes	2	C
39	Decatur	3 violations	Yes	8	C-
40	Huntingburg	3 violations	Yes	14	B-
41	Ferdinand	3 violations	Yes	4	B
42	Zionsville	3 violations	Yes	29	F
43	Santa Claus	3 violations	Yes	8	B+
44	Churubusco	3 violations	Yes	9	C+
45	Holland	3 violations	Yes	8	A-
46	Lynnville	3 violations	Yes	15	C+
47	Freelandville	3 violations	Yes	8	C+
48	Winslow	3 violations	Yes	17	C+
49	Hudson	3 violations	Yes	3	D+
50	Fort Wayne	2 violations	Yes	17	D
51	Merrillville	2 violations	Yes	15	B-
52	Evansville	2 violations	Yes	9	A-
53	Carmel	2 violations	Yes	2	B
54	Jeffersonville	2 violations	Yes	4	B
55	Terre Haute	2 violations	Yes	8	F
56	Mishawaka	2 violations	Yes	8	C+
57	Valparaiso	2 violations	Yes	3	C-
58	Bedford	2 violations	Yes	14	B-
59	Schererville	2 violations	Yes	1	C-
60	East Chicago	2 violations	Yes	1	B-
61	New Castle	2 violations	Yes	4	B+
62	Vincennes	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
63	Shelbyville	2 violations	Yes	19	C+
64	Austin	2 violations	Yes	27	C+
65	Logansport	2 violations	Yes	11	C
66	Huntington	2 violations	Yes	16	F
67	Greencastle	2 violations	Yes	12	C
68	Jasper	2 violations	Yes	7	A-
69	Corydon	2 violations	Yes	0	A
70	Mitchell	2 violations	Yes	31	B-
71	Westville	2 violations	Yes	11	D
72	Nineveh	2 violations	Yes	0	B
73	Crane	2 violations	Yes	9	B
74	Cedar Lake	2 violations	Yes	22	F
75	Galena	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
76	Whiting	2 violations	Yes	3	B+
77	Hebron	2 violations	Yes	7	B-
78	Veedersburg	2 violations	Yes	0	A+
79	Williamsport	2 violations	Yes	3	C-
80	Montpelier	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
81	Dale	2 violations	Yes	2	A-
82	Milford	2 violations	Yes	5	D+
83	Laurel	2 violations	Yes	9	D
84	Westport	2 violations	Yes	52	D+
85	St. Paul	2 violations	Yes	4	D+
86	Markle	2 violations	Yes	0	A
87	Lanesville	2 violations	Yes	2	C+
88	Lyons	2 violations	Yes	5	C+
89	Ridgeville	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
90	Chrisney	2 violations	Yes	8	A-
91	Cynthiana	2 violations	Yes	3	A-
92	Granger	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
93	Merrillville	1 violations	Yes	2	A
94	Hammond	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
95	Lawrence	1 violations	Yes	4	B
96	Richmond	1 violations	Yes	1	B
97	Plainfield	1 violations	Yes	9	B-
98	Lawrenceburg	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
99	Dubois	1 violations	Yes	2	A
100	Seymour	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
101	Aurora	1 violations	Yes	8	C
102	Morgantown	1 violations	Yes	9	C+
103	Tell City	1 violations	Yes	5	B-
104	Brazil	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
105	Lowell	1 violations	Yes	25	B+
106	Borden	1 violations	Yes	23	B+
107	Milan	1 violations	Yes	4	B-
108	Bluffton	1 violations	Yes	0	A
109	Scottsburg	1 violations	Yes	55	B
110	Batesville	1 violations	Yes	7	A
111	Clinton	1 violations	Yes	1	B
112	Rensselaer	1 violations	Yes	2	B
113	Hartford City	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
114	Union City	1 violations	Yes	0	B
115	Shoals	1 violations	Yes	0	B
116	Ligonier	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
117	Bremen	1 violations	Yes	5	B
118	Elizabeth	1 violations	Yes	3	B
119	New Washington	1 violations	Yes	1	B-
120	Fort Branch	1 violations	Yes	1	B
121	Paoli	1 violations	Yes	9	A-
122	West Baden Springs (Corporate	1 violations	Yes	3	A
123	Crothersville	1 violations	Yes	1	B
124	Syracuse	1 violations	Yes	5	B+
125	Lagrange	1 violations	Yes	1	C
126	Greentown	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
127	Winamac	1 violations	Yes	0	A
128	Cannelton	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
129	Walkerton	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
130	New Carlisle	1 violations	Yes	30	C
131	Fremont	1 violations	Yes	4	B
132	Albany	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
133	Kouts	1 violations	Yes	1	A
134	New Goshen	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
135	Wakarusa	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
136	Vevay	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
137	Frankton	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
138	North Judson	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
139	Kentland	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
140	Woodburn	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
141	Monon	1 violations	Yes	3	D+
142	Osgood	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
143	Monroeville	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
144	Converse	1 violations	Yes	2	B
145	Mulberry	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
146	Grabill	1 violations	Yes	2	B
147	Clay City	1 violations	Yes	1	B-
148	Brook	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
149	Sunman	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
150	Wolcott	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
151	Carthage	1 violations	Yes	5	A-
152	Swayzee	1 violations	Yes	0	C-
153	Francesville	1 violations	Yes	1	B-
154	St. Mary-Of-The-Woods	1 violations	Yes	1	A
155	English	1 violations	Yes	0	B
156	Royal Center	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
157	Gaston	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
158	Linden	1 violations	Yes	2	D
159	Boswell	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
160	Patoka	1 violations	Yes	2	B
161	Hillsdale	1 violations	Yes	2	B
162	Kewanna	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
163	Paragon	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
164	Elnora	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
165	Medaryville	1 violations	Yes	2	C
166	Waveland	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
167	Lacrosse	1 violations	Yes	1	C+

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about arsenic in Indiana

Is arsenic in Indiana tap water a concern?

Yes — 167 cities in Indiana have arsenic-related violations on record. The EPA MCL for arsenic is 10 µg/L. Even at levels below the MCL, long-term arsenic exposure has been linked to cancer and cardiovascular disease.

How can I remove arsenic from my drinking water in Indiana?

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective at removing arsenic, typically reducing it by 90% or more. Specialized arsenic-removal media (such as iron-based adsorption filters) are also highly effective. Standard carbon filters and pitcher filters do NOT effectively remove arsenic. If your water comes from a private well, have it tested for arsenic.

Where does arsenic in Indiana water come from?

Arsenic enters drinking water primarily through natural erosion of arsenic-bearing rock formations. It is most common in groundwater systems in the western United States, parts of the Midwest, and New England. Industrial sources include mining, smelting, and agricultural pesticide residues. Groundwater sources are far more likely to contain arsenic than surface water.

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