Copper Contamination

Copper in Indiana Drinking Water

Ranked by 90th percentile copper level (mg/L) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

100%

% Exceeds Limit

13.459 mg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

305

Health Violations

Analysis

Copper in Indiana: what the data shows

Indiana has 88 cities with copper monitoring data. The state average 90th percentile copper level is 13.459 mg/L, compared to 28.808 mg/L nationally — better than the national average. 88 cities exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L. Copper in drinking water typically comes from corrosion of copper pipes and plumbing fixtures, particularly in older homes. The EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L is the 90th percentile threshold — if more than 10% of tap samples exceed it, utilities must take corrective action including adjusting water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. Short-term copper exposure above the action level can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure at elevated levels is associated with liver and kidney damage. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use and using an NSF 53-certified filter can reduce copper exposure.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1.3 mg/L EPA Action Level

Indiana

100%

88 of 88 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

3953 of 3953 cities

City Map

Copper data across Indiana

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with copper levels above the 1.3 mg/L EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by copper level in Indiana

Highest Copper levels (mg/L)

All Cities

All Indiana cities ranked by copper level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Logansport	660.000 mg/L	Yes	11	C
2	Indianapolis	191.000 mg/L	Yes	31	C+
3	Union City	139.000 mg/L	Yes	0	B
4	Crown Point	38.500 mg/L	Yes	0	B-
5	Mulberry	4.830 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
6	Shirley	4.640 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
7	Tipton	4.020 mg/L	Yes	2	A-
8	Bourbon	3.590 mg/L	Yes	0	A-
9	Greentown	2.845 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
10	Pimento	2.600 mg/L	Yes	1	A-
11	Jeffersonville	2.323 mg/L	Yes	4	B
12	Lebanon	2.290 mg/L	Yes	7	B+
13	Greensburg	2.270 mg/L	Yes	29	D
14	Rossville	2.270 mg/L	Yes	1	B+
15	Arcadia	2.230 mg/L	Yes	1	A-
16	Frankfort	2.200 mg/L	Yes	6	B
17	Georgetown	2.172 mg/L	Yes	4	B+
18	Lapel	2.100 mg/L	Yes	3	B
19	Greenfield	2.095 mg/L	Yes	3	B-
20	Delphi	2.060 mg/L	Yes	1	C+
21	Columbia City	2.050 mg/L	Yes	5	D
22	Monroeville	2.050 mg/L	Yes	1	A-
23	Angola	2.020 mg/L	Yes	42	F
24	Brownsburg	2.010 mg/L	Yes	0	A-
25	Monon	2.010 mg/L	Yes	3	D+
26	Milroy	2.010 mg/L	Yes	1	B+
27	Monroe City	2.000 mg/L	Yes	7	B+
28	Culver	1.970 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
29	Lyons	1.960 mg/L	Yes	5	C+
30	Lagrange	1.940 mg/L	Yes	1	C
31	Rochester	1.900 mg/L	Yes	1	A-
32	Demotte	1.900 mg/L	Yes	3	B
33	Sheridan	1.900 mg/L	Yes	2	A
34	Akron	1.900 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
35	Lacrosse	1.900 mg/L	Yes	1	C+
36	Campbellsburg	1.870 mg/L	Yes	1	B+
37	Mooresville	1.827 mg/L	Yes	0	B
38	Greencastle	1.810 mg/L	Yes	12	C
39	Mishawaka	1.800 mg/L	Yes	8	C+
40	Schererville	1.800 mg/L	Yes	1	C-
41	Peru	1.800 mg/L	Yes	69	D
42	Atlanta	1.800 mg/L	Yes	1	C+
43	Cynthiana	1.790 mg/L	Yes	3	A-
44	Howe	1.785 mg/L	Yes	5	B
45	Gas City	1.760 mg/L	Yes	2	B
46	Franklin	1.720 mg/L	Yes	1	B
47	Pittsboro	1.700 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
48	Lynnville	1.660 mg/L	Yes	15	C+
49	Morocco	1.630 mg/L	Yes	2	C+
50	West Lafayette	1.620 mg/L	Yes	2	A-
51	Greenwood	1.611 mg/L	Yes	0	A
52	Winslow	1.610 mg/L	Yes	17	C+
53	New Palestine	1.590 mg/L	Yes	5	A-
54	Warsaw	1.580 mg/L	Yes	46	F
55	Middlebury	1.550 mg/L	Yes	8	B+
56	Huntertown	1.540 mg/L	Yes	0	A-
57	Henryville	1.513 mg/L	Yes	5	B+
58	Thorntown	1.512 mg/L	Yes	5	B+
59	Ferdinand	1.510 mg/L	Yes	4	B
60	Valparaiso	1.500 mg/L	Yes	3	C-
61	Crawfordsville	1.500 mg/L	Yes	15	F
62	Wolcottville	1.500 mg/L	Yes	1	B
63	Van Buren	1.500 mg/L	Yes	8	B
64	Granger	1.500 mg/L	Yes	1	B+
65	Zionsville	1.482 mg/L	Yes	29	F
66	Bremen	1.480 mg/L	Yes	5	B
67	Elizabeth	1.468 mg/L	Yes	3	B
68	Russiaville	1.456 mg/L	Yes	5	B
69	Whiteland	1.450 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
70	Scottsburg	1.443 mg/L	Yes	55	B
71	Taswell	1.440 mg/L	Yes	1	D
72	Garrett	1.430 mg/L	Yes	3	B
73	Aurora	1.420 mg/L	Yes	8	C
74	Kendallville	1.410 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
75	Kingman	1.410 mg/L	Yes	39	C
76	Lawrence	1.400 mg/L	Yes	4	B
77	Elkhart	1.400 mg/L	Yes	9	B
78	Martinsville	1.400 mg/L	Yes	12	F
79	Danville	1.400 mg/L	Yes	1	B+
80	Hebron	1.400 mg/L	Yes	7	B-
81	Wakarusa	1.400 mg/L	Yes	2	A-
82	Lafayette	1.390 mg/L	Yes	24	F
83	Hamilton	1.390 mg/L	Yes	1	B+
84	Linden	1.390 mg/L	Yes	2	D
85	Argos	1.380 mg/L	Yes	1	B
86	Marysville	1.370 mg/L	Yes	3	A-
87	Monticello	1.370 mg/L	Yes	24	D
88	Nappanee	1.350 mg/L	Yes	0	A

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about copper in Indiana

Is copper in Indiana drinking water safe?

88 cities in Indiana exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L for copper. The state average is 13.459 mg/L. Copper levels are highest in homes with copper plumbing, particularly when water sits in pipes overnight. Flushing the tap before use significantly reduces copper in drinking water.

What causes high copper levels in Indiana tap water?

Copper typically leaches from copper pipes and brass fittings within homes, not from the water source itself. Corrosive (low pH or soft) water accelerates this leaching. Water utilities with high copper readings are required to adjust water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. You can reduce exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use.

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