Carmel, IN: 2 Health Violations - Home Safety 65/100
3 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Carmel: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Although much of Carmel meets baseline drinking water standards, some IN-tracked service areas show violations that merit a closer look - particularly for older housing stock.
How Carmel Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Carmel Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 4 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0047 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 31% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,767 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.94.
Carmel's Water Providers
Throughout Carmel, IN, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 3 total systems - independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Carmel, Indiana (population ~91,334), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 1,041,765 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 3 ZIP codes.
2 of 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Carmel: C (65/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Carmel water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0047 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 6 | 2 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 3 | 2 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 3 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46032 | C | 4 | 2 | Carmel Water Department |
| 46033 | C | 4 | 2 | Carmel Water Department |
All ZIP Codes in Carmel
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Carmel 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 Carmel's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Carmel Infrastructure Age
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Lead solder was a standard plumbing material before 1986, when federal law prohibited its use in new residential construction. In Carmel, the median build year of 1994 indicates that plumbing age is a material factor in local lead risk - with the pre-1986 share concentrated in specific neighborhoods and building types where older construction remains common.
Most homes in Carmel 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 Carmel
In Carmel, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands - the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Carmel are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,733–$4,467 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 160% above the Indiana average.
Carmel: 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.
31% - that captures the slice of Carmel housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Carmel: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Carmel contains 104 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $8,646. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 50% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$2,767</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Carmel
- 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 Contaminant 0700 can reduce the most common contaminant found in Carmel's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 31% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Carmel, IN