Dale, IN: 3 Violations — 80/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water tracked for Dale by IN authorities posts above-average scores — the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.
How Dale Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Dale Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0016 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 66% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.69 — above typical levels.
Dale's Water Providers
2 independent water providers serve Dale, IN — 2 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Dale, Indiana (population ~3,518), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 5,320 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Dale: B (80/100)
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
Dale water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0016 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47523 | B | 3 | 0 | Dale Water Works |
All ZIP Codes in Dale
- 47523 [B] — 3 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.
Dale 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 Dale's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Dale Infrastructure Age
With 66% 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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Dale's median build year of 1976 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Dale were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Dale
Given current Dale valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low — most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Dale are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 32% below the Indiana average.
Dale: 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.
Routinely in Dale, where 66% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Dale, IN