Gary, IN Water Safety: 58/100 (2026)
8 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Gary, water safety data for IN reveals moderate quality — federal standards are generally met, but documented exceptions exist in specific service areas.
How Gary Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Gary, IN
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Gary score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Gary Water
- Homes built before 1986: 91% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.49 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Gary
Water service in Gary, IN is split across 3 utilities out of 5 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 8 ZIP codes in Gary, Indiana (population ~73,224), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 315,487 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Gary — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Gary: C (58/100)
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
Gary water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Gary
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 8 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46401 | D | NEW CHICAGO WATER WORKS | 5,500 |
| 46402 | D | Indiana American Water - Northwest | 210,510 |
| 46403 | C | Indiana American Water - Northwest | 210,510 |
| 46404 | C | Indiana American Water - Northwest | 210,510 |
| 46406 | C | Indiana American Water - Northwest | 210,510 |
| 46407 | C | Indiana American Water - Northwest | 210,510 |
| 46408 | D | Indiana American Water - Northwest | 210,510 |
| 46409 | C | Indiana American Water - Northwest | 210,510 |
All ZIP Codes in Gary
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.
Health Outcomes in Gary
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Gary
With 91% 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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Gary sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1950 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Gary 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Gary Homeowners
For most Gary homeowners, estimated remediation represents a moderate equity share — manageable with planning.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Gary. The estimated $600–$2,150 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 52% below the Indiana average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Gary
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.
Households with kids in the home — for whom CDC guidance places particular weight on minimizing exposure — face a specific local picture in Gary. 91% of homes here come from the pre-rule era, and aggregate utility samples either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L. A baseline draw-test kit and certified lead-removal filtration are available via retailer networks for households confirming conditions at a specific tap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Gary
Flood history in Gary spans 103 NFIP claims and 75% flood zone coverage — enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Gary has a moderate flood history with 103 FEMA claims averaging $5,717 per payout. 75% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,300</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Gary
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 91% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Gary, IN