South Bend, IN: 34 Health Violations — 61/100 (2026)
17 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems across South Bend produce average compliance results for IN overall — pockets with documented violations exist, and the variation between areas makes checking the specific system serving a given address the most useful step for residents here.
How South Bend Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: South Bend, IN
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in South Bend score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About South Bend Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 238 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0047 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 76% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,665 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.43 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in South Bend
Federal records list 6 water systems tied to South Bend, IN. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 17 ZIP codes in South Bend, Indiana, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 148,800 people.
17 of 17 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 34 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for South Bend: C (61/100)
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
South Bend water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0047 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 17 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 90 | 17 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 54 | 17 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 36 | 17 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 36 | 17 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 18 | 17 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46601 | C | 14 | 2 | South Bend Water Works |
| 46604 | C | 14 | 2 | South Bend Water Works |
| 46613 | C | 14 | 2 | South Bend Water Works |
| 46614 | C | 14 | 2 | South Bend Water Works |
| 46615 | C | 14 | 2 | South Bend Water Works |
| 46616 | C | 14 | 2 | South Bend Water Works |
| 46617 | C | 14 | 2 | South Bend Water Works |
| 46619 | C | 14 | 2 | South Bend Water Works |
| 46624 | C | 14 | 2 | South Bend Water Works |
| 46626 | C | 14 | 2 | South Bend Water Works |
All ZIP Codes in South Bend
- 46601 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 46604 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 46613 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 46614 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 46615 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 46616 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 46617 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 46619 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 46624 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 46626 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 46628 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 46634 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 46635 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 46637 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 46660 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 46680 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 46699 [C] — 14 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 South Bend
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 South Bend Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in South Bend
With 76% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in South Bend — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1956 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in South Bend 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 South Bend Homeowners
Property equity in South Bend sits at a moderate ratio to estimated remediation costs — a classification that reframes the household financial perspective from routine maintenance to deliberate budgeting, where most homeowners have a realistic path to addressing documented water and safety issues if they map the financial commitment against available resources before committing to scope.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in South Bend. The estimated $1,726–$3,753 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 8% below the Indiana average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in South Bend
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: 76% of South Bend 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 South Bend
How does South Bend's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 102 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 53% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
South Bend has a moderate flood history with 102 FEMA claims averaging $7,579 per payout. 53% 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>$2,665</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 South Bend
- 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 Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in South Bend's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 76% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for South Bend, IN