Strontium Contamination

Strontium in Indiana Drinking Water

Ranked by max strontium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Over HRL

11%

% Over HRL

572.3 µg/L

State Avg

▲ 5% vs national

vs National

305

Health Violations

Analysis

Strontium in Indiana: what the data shows

Indiana has 90 cities with strontium data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Strontium was detected above the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level in 10 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 572.3 µg/L. Strontium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in areas with limestone and dolomite geology. It can also enter water from industrial waste and mining operations. There is no federal MCL for strontium, but the EPA established a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L. Long-term exposure to strontium above the HRL may affect bone health, particularly in children, by substituting for calcium in developing bones. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1,500 µg/L EPA HRL (no MCL)

Indiana

11%

10 of 90 cities

→ ▲ 5% above national rate (worse)

National avg

250 of 4371 cities

City Map

Strontium data across Indiana

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 strontium testing data. Cities where strontium exceeds the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by strontium level in Indiana

Highest Strontium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Indiana cities ranked by strontium level

#	City	Level	Over HRL?	Violations	Grade
1	Auburn	4500.0 µg/L	Over HRL	0	B+
2	Huntington	4400.0 µg/L	Over HRL	16	F
3	Lebanon	3190.0 µg/L	Over HRL	7	B+
4	Marion	2800.0 µg/L	Over HRL	3	A
5	Greenfield	2500.0 µg/L	Over HRL	3	B-
6	Plainfield	2100.0 µg/L	Over HRL	9	B-
7	St. John	1900.0 µg/L	Over HRL	3	A
8	Sheridan	1830.0 µg/L	Over HRL	2	A
9	Ramsey	1700.0 µg/L	Over HRL	2	A
10	Lawrence	1600.0 µg/L	Over HRL	4	B
11	Greenwood	1409.9 µg/L	No	0	A
12	Clarks Hill	1400.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
13	Frankfort	1210.0 µg/L	No	6	B
14	Brownsburg	1100.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
15	Speedway	889.0 µg/L	No	2	C
16	New Castle	887.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
17	Muncie	837.5 µg/L	No	7	D
18	Brook	807.2 µg/L	No	2	B+
19	Greensburg	695.0 µg/L	No	29	D
20	Peru	690.0 µg/L	No	69	D
21	Anderson	640.0 µg/L	No	2	B
22	Richmond	610.0 µg/L	No	1	B
23	Kokomo	543.5 µg/L	No	24	F
24	Indianapolis	510.0 µg/L	No	31	C+
25	Wabash	454.5 µg/L	No	30	F
26	Attica	443.0 µg/L	No	7	A-
27	Crawfordsville	437.9 µg/L	No	15	F
28	Lafayette	420.0 µg/L	No	24	F
29	Bremen	415.1 µg/L	No	5	B
30	Carmel	380.0 µg/L	No	2	B
31	Mooresville	375.2 µg/L	No	0	B
32	Fort Wayne	370.0 µg/L	No	17	D
33	Bedford	370.0 µg/L	No	14	B-
34	Warsaw	340.6 µg/L	No	46	F
35	New Haven	340.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
36	Evansville	320.0 µg/L	No	9	A-
37	Madison	316.0 µg/L	No	4	C+
38	Shelbyville	297.3 µg/L	No	19	C+
39	Logansport	293.0 µg/L	No	11	C
40	Noblesville	285.3 µg/L	No	24	D
41	West Lafayette	280.5 µg/L	No	2	A-
42	Connersville	268.0 µg/L	No	4	C+
43	Gosport	229.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
44	Terre Haute	228.5 µg/L	No	8	F
45	Jeffersonville	225.1 µg/L	No	4	B
46	Newburgh	222.9 µg/L	No	4	A
47	New Washington	214.0 µg/L	No	1	B-
48	Austin	200.0 µg/L	No	27	C+
49	Morgantown	200.0 µg/L	No	9	C+
50	Goshen	190.0 µg/L	No	24	D
51	South Bend	170.0 µg/L	No	7	F
52	Martinsville	170.0 µg/L	No	12	F
53	Vincennes	170.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
54	Greencastle	170.0 µg/L	No	12	C
55	Mishawaka	160.0 µg/L	No	8	C+
56	Georgetown	160.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
57	Fort Branch	153.0 µg/L	No	1	B
58	Mecca	152.0 µg/L	No	6	B+
59	Elkhart	150.0 µg/L	No	9	B
60	Dyer	150.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
61	Washington	138.0 µg/L	No	5	B
62	Columbus	130.0 µg/L	No	22	B-
63	Michigan City	130.0 µg/L	No	12	F
64	Schererville	130.0 µg/L	No	1	C-
65	Highland (Highlands)	130.0 µg/L	No	4	A
66	Munster	130.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
67	Salem	130.0 µg/L	No	84	D
68	Griffith	130.0 µg/L	No	2	B
69	Princeton	124.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
70	Merrillville	122.1 µg/L	No	15	B-
71	Merrillville	122.1 µg/L	No	2	A
72	Bloomfield	122.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
73	Hammond	120.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
74	Valparaiso	120.0 µg/L	No	3	C-
75	Crown Point	120.0 µg/L	No	0	B-
76	East Chicago	120.0 µg/L	No	1	B-
77	Boonville	120.0 µg/L	No	0	A+
78	Seymour	118.3 µg/L	No	3	B-
79	Laporte	110.0 µg/L	No	3	D+
80	Taylorsville	92.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
81	Corydon	83.2 µg/L	No	0	A
82	Jasper	76.0 µg/L	No	7	A-
83	Dubois	70.0 µg/L	No	2	A
84	Oakland City	67.0 µg/L	No	6	B
85	Huntingburg	63.5 µg/L	No	14	B-
86	Westville	60.0 µg/L	No	11	D
87	Bloomington	42.0 µg/L	No	45	D
88	Ellettsville	41.0 µg/L	No	6	A-
89	Bargersville	39.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
90	Brownstown	36.0 µg/L	No	2	B+

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about strontium in Indiana

Is strontium in Indiana tap water harmful?

Strontium at low levels is not considered harmful, but the EPA set a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L based on potential bone effects. 10 cities in Indiana exceed this HRL. There is currently no federal MCL for strontium. Children may be more susceptible because strontium can substitute for calcium in developing bones.

How can I remove strontium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis and ion exchange (water softener) systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water. Standard carbon filters are NOT effective. If your water comes from a well in an area with limestone or dolomite geology, consider testing for strontium.

More contaminants