State safety rankings put Indianapolis, IN near the lower tier - below-average compliance on record.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Indianapolis

We track water quality and home safety data for 63 ZIP codes in Indianapolis, Indiana, covering 11 community water systems serving approximately 978,823 people.

63 of 63 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 1,638 total, including 315 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: D (49/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0052 mg/L
• 60% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 19% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1971
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 57/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 19%
• 27 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 60% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Indianapolis 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

439,873 total housing units across 63 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Indianapolis:

• 2,204 flood insurance claims on record
• $17,300,908 total paid out
• $7,850 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: AE (High risk)
• 25 of 63 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 63 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis 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

• Indianapolis 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

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

All ZIP Codes in Indianapolis

• 46201 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46202 [C] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46203 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46204 [C] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46205 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46206 [C] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46207 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46208 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46209 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46211 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46213 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46214 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46216 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46217 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46218 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46219 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46220 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46221 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46222 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46223 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46224 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46225 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46226 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46227 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46228 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46229 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46230 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46231 [C] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46234 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46235 [C] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46236 [C] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46237 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46239 [C] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46240 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46241 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46242 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46244 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46247 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46249 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46250 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46251 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46253 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46254 [C] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46255 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46256 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46259 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46260 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46262 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46266 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46268 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46274 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46275 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46277 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46278 [C] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46280 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46282 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46283 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46285 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46290 [C] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46291 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46295 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46296 [D] - 26 violations ⚠
• 46298 [D] - 26 violations ⚠

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Indianapolis, IN?

Indianapolis has an average Home Safety Score of 49/100 (grade D) across 63 ZIP codes. There are 1638 recorded EPA violations, 315 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Does Indianapolis have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Indianapolis is 0.0052 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 60% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Indianapolis at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 2,204 flood insurance claims in Indianapolis ZIP codes, with an average payout of $7,850. 25 of 63 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Indianapolis homes?

60% of Indianapolis housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 19% 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 19%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Indianapolis water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Stage 1 DBP Rule, Stage 2 DBP Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Across 63 ZIP codes, 63 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

The year 1986 marks a critical threshold in residential plumbing safety: that's when the federal government banned lead solder from new construction, closing a major pathway for lead entering household drinking water via pipe joints. Indianapolis's median build year of 1971 signals that most of the city's housing was built under the newer standard. The distribution above tells the full story - the post-1986 majority lowers aggregate risk, but the pre-1986 share still deserves scrutiny from anyone living in or purchasing an older home.

1971

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Indianapolis 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.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Indianapolis

0.0052

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Lead risk in Indianapolis appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. 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.

Flood & Climate Risk in Indianapolis

Indianapolis's flood exposure sits in the moderate range: 2204 NFIP claims on record and 0% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones. Residents with private wells or older infrastructure have reasonable grounds to factor flood timing into their water quality awareness.

2,204

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~110

Est. Claims/Year

Indianapolis has a moderate flood history with 2,204 FEMA claims. 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.

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.