Charlestown, IN: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 41/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Charlestown: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. NSF certified filters →
Charlestown, IN water systems: poor compliance record, lower-tier safety grade.
How Charlestown Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Charlestown Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 26 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 40% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.46 - above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Charlestown
At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of Charlestown, IN's residential water connections out of 5 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
- D
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Charlestown, Indiana (population ~17,899), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 44,166 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. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Charlestown: D (41/100)
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
Charlestown water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 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
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| PFOA | PFAS | 2 | 1 |
| PFNA | PFAS | 2 | 1 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47111 | D | 26 | 1 | Indiana American Water - Charlestown |
All ZIP Codes in Charlestown
- 47111 [D] - 26 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 Charlestown
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
Top Contaminants in Charlestown Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Charlestown
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
With a median build year of 1996, Charlestown's housing stock reflects a city built across multiple eras. A substantial share of homes predate 1986 - the year lead solder in plumbing was federally banned - meaning the risk from plumbing materials is unevenly distributed across the city's neighborhoods and property types.
Most homes in Charlestown 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Charlestown Homeowners
Property value and cost data for Charlestown produce a moderate remediation-share classification - a level where advance financial planning has real practical value and the commitment is realistic for most homeowners who approach it deliberately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Charlestown. The estimated $2,400–$4,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 47% above the Indiana average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Charlestown
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.
After the federal action removing lead-bearing solder from new plumbing took effect, building practice shifted - but 40% of the Charlestown inventory predates that line. With aggregate samples near or beyond 0.015 mg/L, an in-home check moves out of the optional column into the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Charlestown
Historical NFIP data for Charlestown contains 178 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $24,647. 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 <strong>$3,600</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 Charlestown
- 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 Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Charlestown's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 40% 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 Charlestown, IN