CITY REPORT IN HEALTH VIOLATIONS: 16

Fort Wayne, IN: 16 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 64/100

43 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for Fort Wayne: C.

A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.

Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (16 health-based violations). NSF certified filters →

Fort Wayne, IN holds a middle-tier grade; review the underlying water system records for the reasons behind it.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS

43
ZIP Codes
7
Water Systems
16
ZIPs Linked to Systems with Violations
C · 64
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
County Radon Potential (High)

Key Facts for Fort Wayne Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 111 violations since 2021.
  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0027 mg/L.

Water Quality in Fort Wayne

We track home safety signals for 43 ZIP codes in Fort Wayne, Indiana. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 16 ZIP codes and 7 water systems.

16 of 16 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 111 total, including 16 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: C (64/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 41 16
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 35 16
Consumer Confidence Rule Reporting 21 4
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 5 5
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 5 5

Lead Risk

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0027 mg/L
  • 0 of 16 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
  • 67% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
  • 20% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
  • Median year built: 1971
  • Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
  • Lead exposure risk score: 51/100
  • Estimated lead service line probability: 20%
  • 10 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 67% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Fort Wayne residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

141,737 total housing units across 43 ZIP codes:

Era Units Share
Pre-1940 17,839 13%
1940–1949 7,446 5%
1950–1959 16,287 11%
1960–1969 18,688 13%
1970–1979 22,856 16%
1980–1989 14,862 10%
1990–1999 19,305 14%
2000–2009 14,429 10%
2010–2019 9,447 7%
2020+ 578 0%

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Fort Wayne:

  • 1,596 flood insurance claims on record
  • $14,351,177 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
  • 1,266 claims with payment data
  • 330 claims without reported payment fields
  • $11,336 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
  • Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: AE (A/V-family)
  • 13 of 16 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
  • Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory

Radon Risk

43 of 43 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.

The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
46802 65/100 C 4
46804 65/100 C 4
46805 65/100 C 4
46807 65/100 C 4
46808 65/100 C 4
46809 65/100 C 5
46814 65/100 C 4
46815 65/100 C 4
46819 65/100 C 4
46835 65/100 C 4

Areas Needing Attention

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
46806 58/100 C 19
46803 58/100 C 19
46845 63/100 C 11
46825 64/100 C 6
46818 64/100 C 6
46816 64/100 C 9

What Fort Wayne Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

  • Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
  • Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
  • Check your ZIP code - each area in Fort Wayne has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

  • NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
  • NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
  • Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Test for Radon

  • Fort Wayne is in a high-risk radon area
  • Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
  • If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

Stay Informed

All ZIP Codes in Fort Wayne

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Fort Wayne, IN?

The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. Fort Wayne has an average score of 64/100 (grade C) across 16 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 111 recorded EPA violations across 16 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 16 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.

Does Fort Wayne have lead in the water?

The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Fort Wayne is 0.0027 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 0 of 16 ZIP codes with known action-level status are served by a system whose 90th-percentile lead result exceeded the EPA action level. About 67% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Fort Wayne at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 1,596 flood insurance claim records in Fort Wayne ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $11,336 among 1,266 claims with payment data. 330 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 16 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 13 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.

Are there lead pipes in Fort Wayne homes?

67% of Fort Wayne housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 20% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 20%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Fort Wayne water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Stage 1 DBP Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule. Across 16 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 16 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

Fort Wayne Infrastructure Age

1971
Median Build Year
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

Median build year of 1971 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

1971
Median Year Built
N/A
Pre-1986 (lead solder era; lead paint banned 1978)
0%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Fort Wayne were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Fort Wayne: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

0.0027
mg/L average of reported water-system 90th-percentile lead results (the 0.015 action level applies to each system's result, not to this average)

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.

Available area-level lead records for Fort Wayne do not determine the lead level at an individual tap. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Fort Wayne: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

1,596
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$11,336
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
81%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Fort Wayne contains 1,596 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $11,336. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 81% 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.

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 Fort Wayne

  1. Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
  2. Install a certified water filter. Choose a pitcher or under-sink filter certified to reduce the specific contaminants of concern.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.

Deep Dive Reports

Detailed analysis for Fort Wayne, IN

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for Fort Wayne, IN?
Fort Wayne has an average Home Safety Score of 64/100 (Grade C) under ZipCheckup model 4.0.0, an area-level model that draws on EPA water compliance records, PFAS screening, EPA radon zones, and annual EPA air quality data; see the methodology page for how inputs and coverage are handled. 111 violations appear in EPA records for water systems mapped to these ZIP codes. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
How many violations are on record for water systems serving Fort Wayne?
EPA records list 111 EPA violations, including 16 health-based violations for Fort Wayne water systems. These water-system violations are shown for 43 mapped ZIP codes.
Does Fort Wayne water have lead?
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Fort Wayne is 0.0027 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average. EPA's health goal for lead is zero. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve Fort Wayne?
Our records map 7 water systems to 43 ZIP codes in Fort Wayne. The related population figure in our data is approximately 333,026 people; it is not a count of people served citywide.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Fort Wayne, IN: 16 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 64/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/in/fort-wayne/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-in-fort-wayne,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Fort Wayne, IN: 16 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 64/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/in/fort-wayne/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

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