Velpen, IN Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water data for Velpen, IN shows a low safety grade — health-based violations appear across a meaningful share of service areas in current EPA records.
How Velpen Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Velpen Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 35% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.33 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Velpen
Water delivery in Velpen, IN is handled by 2 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 2 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Velpen, Indiana (population ~550), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 21,835 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Velpen — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Velpen: D (53/100)
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
Velpen water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Velpen
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47590 | D | IRELAND UTILITIES, INC. | 4,395 |
All ZIP Codes in Velpen
- 47590 [D]
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.
CDC Health Data for Velpen
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
How Old Is Velpen's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Pre-1986 construction carries elevated plumbing-era lead risk because lead solder was widely used before that federal ban. In Velpen, the median build year of 1996 indicates a housing stock where that older fraction represents a significant share of the residential inventory.
Most homes in Velpen 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.
Velpen: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The household financial picture for Velpen homeowners is proportionally favorable — addressing documented issues claims a small slice of equity, and the cost-to-value ratio puts this area well within the manageable tier.
Remediation costs in Velpen are relatively low compared to home values. The $300–$1,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 17% above the Indiana average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Velpen
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 stock in Velpen represents 35% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Velpen
- 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 35% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Velpen, IN