Peru, IN: 4 Violations — 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Peru lands near the IN median for water safety — compliance results are mixed, and the city's middle-grade standing reflects genuine variability across service areas rather than one problem driving the whole picture.
How Peru Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Peru Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 4 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.007 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 81% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.62 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Peru
Throughout Peru, IN, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 5 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Peru, Indiana, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 23,129 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Peru: C (55/100)
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
Peru water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0070 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 2 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46970 | C | 4 | 0 | Peru Water Department |
All ZIP Codes in Peru
- 46970 [C] — 4 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.
Health Outcomes in Peru
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 Peru Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Peru
With 81% 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
Housing age is one of the most reliable proxies for plumbing-era lead risk, because two federal milestones — the widespread use of lead pipes before 1970 and the continued use of lead solder until 1986 — define the highest-risk tiers of the residential housing stock. With a median build year of 1951, Peru falls squarely within the older range — meaning a large fraction of the housing was built under the plumbing standards of those earlier eras. The distribution above captures where that risk concentrates, and why older neighborhoods warrant particular attention from residents concerned about tap water quality.
Over half of homes in Peru 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 Peru Homeowners
The Peru remediation share exceeds what lower-tier markets face — the cost-to-value ratio here is elevated, and the household financial perspective reflects a commitment that most homeowners need to plan for explicitly.
At 2.2% of home value, remediation costs in Peru represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,600–$3,300. Home values here are 38% below the Indiana average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Peru
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.
Older interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 81% of Peru homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Peru
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Peru shows 28 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Peru has a moderate flood history with 28 FEMA claims averaging $10,710 per payout. 100% 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>$2,400</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 Peru
- 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 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Peru's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 81% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Peru, IN