Bloomington, IN: 88 Health Violations — 49/100 (2026)
8 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Bloomington's water safety record falls below average in IN — compliance violations span multiple service areas, and several systems have recorded exceedances that trigger federal notification requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
How Bloomington Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Bloomington, IN
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Bloomington's 8 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Bloomington Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 216 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0051 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 43% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,063 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.48.
Bloomington's Water Providers
Throughout Bloomington, IN, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 6 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 8 ZIP codes in Bloomington, Indiana, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 129,373 people.
8 of 8 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 88 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bloomington: D (49/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Bloomington water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0051 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 8 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 54 | 8 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 45 | 8 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 45 | 8 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 36 | 8 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 27 | 8 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47401 | D | 27 | 11 | City of Bloomington Utilities |
| 47402 | D | 27 | 11 | City of Bloomington Utilities |
| 47403 | D | 27 | 11 | City of Bloomington Utilities |
| 47404 | D | 27 | 11 | City of Bloomington Utilities |
| 47405 | D | 27 | 11 | City of Bloomington Utilities |
| 47406 | D | 27 | 11 | City of Bloomington Utilities |
| 47407 | D | 27 | 11 | City of Bloomington Utilities |
| 47408 | D | 27 | 11 | City of Bloomington Utilities |
All ZIP Codes in Bloomington
- 47401 [D] — 27 violations ⚠
- 47402 [D] — 27 violations ⚠
- 47403 [D] — 27 violations ⚠
- 47404 [D] — 27 violations ⚠
- 47405 [D] — 27 violations ⚠
- 47406 [D] — 27 violations ⚠
- 47407 [D] — 27 violations ⚠
- 47408 [D] — 27 violations ⚠
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Bloomington Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
What's in Bloomington's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Bloomington Infrastructure Age
With 43% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Because Bloomington's housing stock spans a wide range of construction eras, the median build year of 1988 lands in a zone where two distinct risk populations share the same residential market. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper plumbing joints — that practice was federally prohibited in 1986 but remained standard until then. The fraction built before 1970 face an additional risk: lead pipes used for service line connections were common before that decade, meaning both the pipe and the solder may be lead-containing in the oldest structures. Residents in mid-century or earlier homes face a different risk environment than neighbors in houses built after 1986, even if they drink from the same utility's supply — and that property-level divergence is what makes the age distribution above more diagnostic than the city-wide median alone.
Most homes in Bloomington were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Bloomington
In Bloomington, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small — not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Bloomington are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,025–$3,875 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 71% above the Indiana average.
Bloomington: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 43% of Bloomington stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Bloomington: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
How does Bloomington's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 84 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 63% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Bloomington has a moderate flood history with 84 FEMA claims averaging $29,091 per payout. 63% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,063</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Bloomington
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Bloomington's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 43% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Bloomington, IN