Cedar Lake, IN: 2 Health Violations - Home Safety 59/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Cedar Lake: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Within Cedar Lake, the records summarized for IN produce a C grade - a middle reading that calls for checking the specific system at your address.
How Cedar Lake Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Cedar Lake Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 81 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0145 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 48% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $300 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 14.49.
Who Supplies Your Water in Cedar Lake
Multiple utilities show up for Cedar Lake, IN: 3 are listed here out of 5 tracked federally.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cedar Lake, Indiana (population ~16,910), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 44,508 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code 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 Cedar Lake: C (59/100)
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
Cedar Lake water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0145 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 2.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 14 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 12 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 1 |
| Arsenic | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46303 | C | 81 | 2 | Cedar Lake Water Works |
All ZIP Codes in Cedar Lake
- 46303 [C] - 81 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Health Outcomes in Cedar Lake
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Cedar Lake Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Cedar Lake
With 48% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Homes on the same street in Cedar Lake can differ: one may keep original pre-1986 plumbing while another has been replumbed, so the 1981 median is only a starting point.
A significant portion of Cedar Lake's housing stock predates 1970, so some homes may have older plumbing materials. Residents in older homes should consider water testing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Cedar Lake Homeowners
Estimated remediation for Cedar Lake is a small fraction of median property value - one percent or less - though the ratio does not describe any single household.
Estimated remediation costs in Cedar Lake can be compared with local home values. The $150–$600 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 52% above the Indiana average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Cedar Lake
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Several steps can clarify lead exposure for a Cedar Lake household. The area figure, an average of ZIP-level 90th-percentile results, is 0.010 mg/L or higher, and the pre-1986 share of local homes is about 48%. The water utility's lead service line inventory shows how a home's service line is classified, a certified laboratory test measures lead at the tap, and a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction is an option where results show lead.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Cedar Lake
Historical NFIP data for Cedar Lake contains 6 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $7,632. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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 $300 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 Cedar Lake
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Consider testing your home's tap water for lead, since household plumbing can affect its level.
- Install a certified water filter. For Consumer Confidence Rule, listed in the water-quality records for Cedar Lake: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 48% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cedar Lake, IN