Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant
EPA ID: IN5202020 · 269,994 people served · 50 ZIP codes
3 open EPA findings remain on record at Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant — the utility supplies approximately 269,994 people.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 50 (2022) to 1 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant serves a community with a median household income of $69,824 and an estimated 391,961 residents across its service area. Approximately 66% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 40% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 1% of homes in Allen County, Indiana rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 69th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 38 detections recorded.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Indiana
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
FORT WAYNE - 3 RIVERS FILTRATION PLANT (EPA ID: IN5202020) is a community water system in Indiana that serves approximately 269,994 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 50 ZIP codes across 8 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (63/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 7, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 6 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 5 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46801 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46802 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46803 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46804 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46805 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46806 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46807 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46808 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46809 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46814 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46815 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46816 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46818 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46819 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46825 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46835 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46845 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46850 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46851 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46852 | 0.00258 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: 22 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 28 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
This system serves 50 ZIP codes:
46704 · 46706 · 46748 · 46765 · 46774 46783 · 46798 · 46801 · 46802 · 46803 46804 · 46805 · 46806 · 46807 · 46808 46809 · 46814 · 46815 · 46816 · 46818 46819 · 46825 · 46835 · 46845 · 46850 46851 · 46852 · 46853 · 46854 · 46855 46856 · 46857 · 46858 · 46859 · 46860 46861 · 46862 · 46863 · 46864 · 46865 46866 · 46867 · 46868 · 46869 · 46885 46895 · 46896 · 46897 · 46898 · 46899
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant (IN5202020) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant water safe to drink?
Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant serve?
Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant serves approximately 269,994 people across 50 ZIP codes in Indiana.
Where does Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Contact Your Water Utility
Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.
Contact information from City Utilities of Fort Wayne (Three Rivers Filtration Plant) Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.
Water Source & Treatment
Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.
Source: City Utilities of Fort Wayne (Three Rivers Filtration Plant) Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has conducted a Source Water Assessment for City Utilities' water supply. The Source Assessment has identified potential sources of contamination and analyzed the hydrological conditions that may affect the water supply's susceptibility to possible contaminants.
Treatment regime
How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.
Treatment chemicals and what each one does
Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.
Watershed exposure sources reported
Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.
Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from City Utilities of Fort Wayne (Three Rivers Filtration Plant) Consumer Confidence Report.
Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
In 2024, nearly 2,400 homeowners signed up to have their lead service lines replaced. City Utilities has developed a plan to replace private lead service lines at a lower cost and possibly free based on income. Replacements occurred in Harvester, Eastside Community, Renaissance Point, Hamilton Association, Northside, and Forest Park neighborhoods.
Lead Service Line Replacement Tracker
This water utility's lead service line (LSL) replacement program is tracked from public Consumer Confidence Report filings. Email signup notifies subscribers when the utility files an updated replacement plan or progress milestone.
City Utilities of Fort Wayne (Three Rivers Filtration Plant)
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. LSL replacement-program data is sourced from public CCR filings published by the utility. Subscription notifications are based on automated parsing of subsequent CCR releases.
Learn more about Lead and Copper Rule replacement requirements →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
Hard water detected in City Utilities of Fort Wayne (Three Rivers Filtration Plant)
Your utility reported water hardness of 122 ppm CaCO₃ (7.1 grains per gallon) in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report. This is in the moderately hard range and may cause scale buildup, reduced appliance lifespan, and dry skin or hair.
There are three common approaches to treating hard water: salt-based ion-exchange softeners (most effective, require salt refills), salt-free conditioners (lower maintenance, scale prevention only), and reverse osmosis at the kitchen sink (cooking and drinking water only). Aquasana, EcoWater, Pelican, and SpringWell are among the major US brands.
Paid Partner. ZipCheckup earns commission on Aquasana purchases. We do not test water or verify product effectiveness for specific hardness levels — manufacturer claims are theirs alone. Consult a certified water-quality professional for personalized advice.
Hardness data parsed from this utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report. Severity bands per USGS hard water classification.
Notable events and violations
This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.
Notable events from the utility's CCR
These bullet entries are the utility's own narration of operational, regulatory, or infrastructure events during the reporting period.
- In Lead (July-Dec 2024) sampling, 2 out of 105 sites exceeded the Action Level of 15 ppb; 90th percentile was 4.69 ppb (below AL).
- City Utilities completed a Service Line Inventory assessment, made available in October with a searchable address system; nearly 2,400 homeowners signed up to have their lead lines replaced in 2024.
ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
- #51 / 100 Highest Exposure Burden (U.S.)
- #36 / 50 Most Disadvantaged Populations Served (Indiana)
- #1 / 50 Highest Exposure Burden (Indiana)
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant (EPA ID: IN5202020) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.