HAA5 Contamination

HAA5 in Indiana Drinking Water

Ranked by average HAA5 concentration (µg/L) · UCMR 4 data (2018–2020) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

% Exceeds Limit

10.7 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 1% vs national

vs National

305

Health Violations

Analysis

HAA5 in Indiana: what the data shows

Indiana has 87 cities with HAA5 monitoring data from the EPA's UCMR 4 program (2018–2020). Haloacetic acids (HAA5) form when chlorine-based disinfectants react with natural organic matter in water. The state average is 10.7 µg/L — better than the 15.5 µg/L national average. No cities currently exceed the 60 µg/L EPA MCL. HAA5 is a group of five chlorinated and brominated acetic acids. Long-term exposure above the MCL is associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive outcomes. The EPA classifies total HAA5 as a probable human carcinogen at elevated concentrations. Activated carbon filtration (especially granular or block carbon) is effective at reducing HAA5. Running water through a refrigerator filter or letting it sit in an open pitcher for 30 minutes also helps, as some HAA5 species are volatile. Boiling does not remove disinfection byproducts and may concentrate them.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 60 µg/L EPA MCL

Indiana

0 of 87 cities

← ▼ 1% below national rate (better)

National avg

23 of 4420 cities

City Map

HAA5 data across Indiana

Each dot is a city with UCMR 4 HAA5 testing data. Cities where average HAA5 exceeded the 60 µg/L EPA MCL are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by haa5 level in Indiana

Highest HAA5 levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Indiana cities ranked by haa5 level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Evansville	42.4 µg/L	No	9	A-
2	Bloomington	37.0 µg/L	No	45	D
3	Dubois	35.6 µg/L	No	2	A
4	Otwell	35.0 µg/L	No	7	B
5	Greensburg	29.7 µg/L	No	29	D
6	Ellettsville	28.0 µg/L	No	6	A-
7	Borden	27.8 µg/L	No	23	B+
8	Indianapolis	26.1 µg/L	No	31	C+
9	Frankfort	21.5 µg/L	No	6	B
10	Fort Wayne	21.1 µg/L	No	17	D
11	Jasper	20.9 µg/L	No	7	A-
12	Lawrence	20.6 µg/L	No	4	B
13	Bedford	20.3 µg/L	No	14	B-
14	Kokomo	17.3 µg/L	No	24	F
15	Muncie	16.8 µg/L	No	7	D
16	Mishawaka	15.0 µg/L	No	8	C+
17	Schererville	14.1 µg/L	No	1	C-
18	Noblesville	13.6 µg/L	No	24	D
19	Elkhart	13.4 µg/L	No	9	B
20	Crown Point	13.1 µg/L	No	0	B-
21	Richmond	12.6 µg/L	No	1	B
22	East Chicago	12.5 µg/L	No	1	B-
23	Merrillville	12.5 µg/L	No	15	B-
24	Merrillville	12.4 µg/L	No	2	A
25	Morgantown	12.0 µg/L	No	9	C+
26	Huntington	11.8 µg/L	No	16	F
27	Greencastle	11.6 µg/L	No	12	C
28	Austin	11.3 µg/L	No	27	C+
29	Munster	10.9 µg/L	No	0	B+
30	Plymouth	10.7 µg/L	No	16	D
31	Hammond	10.6 µg/L	No	1	A-
32	Terre Haute	10.3 µg/L	No	8	F
33	New Haven	10.3 µg/L	No	1	B+
34	Plainfield	9.7 µg/L	No	9	B-
35	Valparaiso	9.7 µg/L	No	3	C-
36	Brownstown	9.6 µg/L	No	2	B+
37	Rensselaer	9.5 µg/L	No	2	B
38	Washington	9.3 µg/L	No	5	B
39	Crawfordsville	9.3 µg/L	No	15	F
40	Monticello	9.3 µg/L	No	24	D
41	Ramsey	9.1 µg/L	No	2	A
42	Jeffersonville	9.1 µg/L	No	4	B
43	Brazil	8.7 µg/L	No	2	A-
44	Boonville	8.6 µg/L	No	0	A+
45	Newburgh	8.6 µg/L	No	4	A
46	Lebanon	8.5 µg/L	No	7	B+
47	Logansport	8.2 µg/L	No	11	C
48	Auburn	8.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
49	Brownsburg	7.8 µg/L	No	0	A-
50	Laporte	7.7 µg/L	No	3	D+
51	Dyer	7.7 µg/L	No	0	A-
52	Warsaw	7.2 µg/L	No	46	F
53	Princeton	7.1 µg/L	No	2	B+
54	Griffith	7.0 µg/L	No	2	B
55	Carmel	6.9 µg/L	No	2	B
56	Greenfield	6.6 µg/L	No	3	B-
57	Highland (Highlands)	6.6 µg/L	No	4	A
58	Goshen	6.3 µg/L	No	24	D
59	Vincennes	6.2 µg/L	No	0	A-
60	Anderson	6.1 µg/L	No	2	B
61	Wabash	6.1 µg/L	No	30	F
62	Columbus	5.9 µg/L	No	22	B-
63	Seymour	5.9 µg/L	No	3	B-
64	North Vernon	5.7 µg/L	No	106	D
65	Bristol	5.4 µg/L	No	9	D+
66	Peru	5.4 µg/L	No	69	D
67	Greenwood	5.4 µg/L	No	0	A
68	Bargersville	5.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
69	Warren	4.7 µg/L	No	4	B+
70	St. John	4.1 µg/L	No	3	A
71	New Castle	4.1 µg/L	No	4	B+
72	Michigan City	3.9 µg/L	No	12	F
73	Taylorsville	3.7 µg/L	No	1	A-
74	Clinton	3.4 µg/L	No	1	B
75	Speedway	3.4 µg/L	No	2	C
76	Lanesville	3.4 µg/L	No	2	C+
77	Shelbyville	3.3 µg/L	No	19	C+
78	Edinburg	2.6 µg/L	No	6	B+
79	Lafayette	2.6 µg/L	No	24	F
80	South Bend	2.6 µg/L	No	7	F
81	West Lafayette	2.2 µg/L	No	2	A-
82	Connersville	2.2 µg/L	No	4	C+
83	Marion	1.7 µg/L	No	3	A
84	Decatur	1.6 µg/L	No	8	C-
85	Madison	1.3 µg/L	No	4	C+
86	Bloomfield	1.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
87	Martinsville	0.9 µg/L	No	12	F

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about haa5 in Indiana

What is HAA5 and why does it appear in Indiana tap water?

HAA5 (haloacetic acids) are disinfection byproducts that form when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in source water. They are a normal byproduct of the disinfection process that makes water safe to drink. No cities in Indiana currently exceed the 60 µg/L EPA MCL. The state average is 10.7 µg/L.

How can I reduce HAA5 exposure from Indiana drinking water?

Activated carbon filters (granular or block) effectively reduce HAA5. Refrigerator filters and under-sink carbon systems are convenient options. Unlike lead or PFAS, HAA5 levels can also be reduced by letting water stand in an open container, as some species evaporate. Boiling does NOT remove HAA5 and can concentrate them by reducing water volume.

Which Indiana cities have the highest HAA5 levels?

The cities with the highest average HAA5 concentrations in Indiana are: Evansville (42.4 µg/L), Bloomington (37.0 µg/L), Dubois (35.6 µg/L), Otwell (35.0 µg/L), Greensburg (29.7 µg/L). Note: this data is from UCMR 4 testing (2018–2020) and may not reflect current levels.

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