Health Violations Found IN 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Washington Water Works

EPA ID: IN5214007 · 13,690 people served · 2 ZIP codes

In the most recent EPA reporting cycle, Washington Water Works carried 2 violations still marked as unresolved — each remains active in the federal enforcement ledger while the utility continues operations for its service population of approximately 13,690 people across the area it supplies.

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

C · 62
Avg Safety Score
13,690
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
6
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.013 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
3
Contaminants Flagged
$206K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Washington Water Works Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$74,315
Median Household Income
23,587
Service Area Population
71%
Disadvantaged Population
70th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
58%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Washington Water Works serves a community with a median household income of $74,315 and an estimated 23,587 residents across its service area. Approximately 58% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 71% 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

Washington Water Works'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
30th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Daviess 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

45 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
23 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 66% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Washington Water Works compares to EPA limits

Chlorine residual 1 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level) (25% of limit)
0 EPA Limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level)
Irritation & DBP formation at high levels; protective at normal treatment levels

What This Means For You

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Chlorine residual 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

C 6 violations
C 3 violations
D 12 violations
D 0 violations
Bedford City Utilities
14,000 people
C 5 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,250
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $150
Total Estimated Cost $1,800

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 $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,000
10 years
$10,000
20 years
$20,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,800 (one-time) vs. $10,000 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

Washington Water Works (EPA ID: IN5214007) is a community water system in Indiana that serves approximately 13,690 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (62/100)

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

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 2 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
September 5, 2025 Chlorine residual Health-based Resolved
July 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved
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 4 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 1 No
Chlorine residual Disinfectant 1 Yes

Health Risk Details

Chlorine (Residual Disinfectant) (EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level))

Irritation & DBP formation at high levels; protective at normal treatment levels At-risk groups: people with asthma or chemical sensitivities, kidney dialysis patients (water must be dechlorinated).

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), KDF media filter, carbon block filter. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
47501 0.013 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate 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

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by IN or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Washington Water Works (IN5214007) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Washington Water Works water safe to drink?

Washington Water Works 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 Washington Water Works serve?

Washington Water Works serves approximately 13,690 people across 2 ZIP codes in Indiana.

Where does Washington Water Works get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.

Samples collected
58

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 →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

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

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
5,176
Unknown Material
645
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

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 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 13,690
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 →

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Washington Water Works safe to drink?
Washington Water Works has a C safety grade based on 6 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Washington Water Works's water?
Detected contaminants include Surface Water Treatment Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Chlorine residual. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 contaminants 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 Washington Water Works serve?
Washington Water Works serves approximately 13,690 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Washington Water Works's water source?
Washington Water Works draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Washington Water Works's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.013 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Washington Water Works's service area?
The Washington Water Works service area has a median household income of $74,315. EPA EJScreen data classifies 71% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Washington Water Works get its water?
Washington Water Works'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. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

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

Washington Water Works (EPA ID: IN5214007) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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