Monitoring Violations IN

Otterbein Water Department

EPA ID: IN5204004 · 1,262 people served · 1 ZIP code

Records for Otterbein Water Department show 2 violations over the monitored period, with every finding addressed and officially closed — the provider, which serves approximately 1,262 people, carries no outstanding enforcement actions in the current EPA dataset and meets all applicable drinking water requirements.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

D · 54
Avg Safety Score
1,262
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
2
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
1
Contaminants Flagged
$163K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Otterbein Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$72,468
Median Household Income
2,634
Service Area Population
67%
Disadvantaged Population
70th
Poverty Percentile
90th
Energy Burden Percentile
61%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Otterbein Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $72,468 and an estimated 2,634 residents across its service area. Approximately 61% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 67% 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?

Groundwater

Otterbein Water Department's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Low Risk
Source Contamination Risk
10th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
30th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 0% of homes in Benton County, Indiana rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

53 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
17 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 76% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Otterbein Water Department compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Indiana

Converse Water Works
1,265 people
D 0 violations
Galveston Water Works
1,258 people
0 violations
Mulberry Water Works
1,252 people
C 3 violations
Hanover College
1,250 people
0 violations
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Total Estimated Cost $1,200

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,200 (one-time) vs. $5,000 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Otterbein Water Department (EPA ID: IN5204004) is a community water system in Indiana that serves approximately 1,262 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 47970 in Otterbein.

Average Home Safety Score: D (54/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

2 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
May 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
May 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 2 No

Lead & Copper

No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.

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 Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Otterbein Water Department (IN5204004) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Otterbein Water Department water safe to drink?

Otterbein Water Department has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Otterbein Water Department serve?

Otterbein Water Department serves approximately 1,262 people across 1 ZIP code in Indiana.

Where does Otterbein Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

1
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
7
Unknown Material
562
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 1,262
Reported to Indiana

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.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Otterbein Water Department safe to drink?
Otterbein Water Department has a D safety grade based on 2 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Otterbein Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 contaminant above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Otterbein Water Department serve?
Otterbein Water Department serves approximately 1,262 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Otterbein Water Department's water source?
Otterbein Water Department draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Otterbein Water Department's service area?
The Otterbein Water Department service area has a median household income of $72,468. EPA EJScreen data classifies 67% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Otterbein Water Department get its water?
Otterbein Water Department's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Otterbein Water Department (EPA ID: IN5204004) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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