Historical Compliance Records IN

Elkhart Public Works and Utilities

EPA ID: IN5220008 ยท 46,455 people served ยท 9 ZIP codes

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Elkhart Public Works and Utilities (IN5220008): 4 EPA violations in the last five years. EPA records: Elkhart Public Works and Utilities, 4 past violations, all resolved, 46,455 served.

Data: EPA SDWIS

D ยท 47
Avg Safety Score
46,455
People Served
9
ZIP Codes Served
4
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.002 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk ยท High
2
Contaminants Flagged
$193K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Elkhart Public Works and Utilities Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary - Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$65,864
Median Household Income
246,103
Service Area Population
35%
Disadvantaged Population
58th
Poverty Percentile
42th
Energy Burden Percentile
58%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Elkhart Public Works and Utilities serves a community with a median household income of $65,864 and an estimated 246,103 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: 35% 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.

๐Ÿ’ง Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Elkhart Public Works and Utilities'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
68th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
72th
Superfund Site Proximity

Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 68th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 72th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

47 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
22 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 68% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Elkhart Public Works and Utilities compares to EPA limits

Lead 3 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults

What This Means For You

Lead at 3 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

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. 46 detections recorded. 10 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

State limits: PFOA: 0.012 ppt, PFOS: 0.012 ppt, PFHxS: 0.089 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter โ†’

Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter โ†’

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Indiana

C 0 violations
C 7 violations
Mishawaka Utilities
49,675 people
D 0 violations
Purdue Univ. Water Works
50,000 people
0 violations
C 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,267
Radon Mitigation $1,200
PFAS Treatment $511
Water Filtration $100
Total Estimated Cost $3,078

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.)

PFAS Exposure - Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,665
10 years
$5,330
20 years
$10,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,078 (one-time) vs. $5,330 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

Elkhart Public Works and Utilities (EPA ID: IN5220008) is a community water system in Indiana that serves approximately 46,455 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 9 ZIP codes across 6 communities.

ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: D (47/100)

This is the average Home Safety Score for 3 of 9 service-area ZIP codes with all required score domains observed. It is not a grade for the water utility.

Model 4.0.0 uses SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the UCMR 5 PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AirData AQI across three equally weighted domains. Missing required evidence suppresses the score.

Violation History

No current noncompliance in the accepted 2026Q2 snapshot. The 4 records in the 2021-2026 window are classified as resolved or archived, not current.

Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 4 resolved, 0 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 11, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Non-health-based Resolved
January 1, 2021 Lead Non-health-based Resolved
January 1, 2021 Lead Non-health-based Resolved
January 1, 2021 Lead Non-health-based Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Lead Inorganic 3 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 1 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:

Lead Level Exceeds Action Level Sample Date
0.002 mg/L No N/A

No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.

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 $20โ€“$50 (DIY kit) ยท Professional inspection: $150โ€“$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking โ€” 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 Elkhart Public Works and Utilities (IN5220008) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elkhart Public Works and Utilities water safe to drink?

The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Elkhart Public Works and Utilities; its 4 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.

How many people does Elkhart Public Works and Utilities serve?

Elkhart Public Works and Utilities serves approximately 46,455 people across 9 ZIP codes in Indiana.

Where does Elkhart Public Works and Utilities get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

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.

Samples collected
174
Detections
14
Latest sample
1/2/2025
Highest analyte
PFBS: 9.8 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFBS 9.8 ppt โ€” โ€”
PFHxS 8.8 ppt 10 ppt Below current MCL
PFPeA 8.3 ppt โ€” โ€”
PFBA 7.5 ppt โ€” โ€”
PFHxA 5.5 ppt โ€” โ€”
PFOA 5.2 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal 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) โ€” per-system federal sampling, 2023โ€“2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program โ†’

Understand PFAS health context and filtration โ†’

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 Elkhart Public Works and Utilities safe to drink?
Elkhart Public Works and Utilities has a D safety grade based on 4 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits - independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Elkhart Public Works and Utilities's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, 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 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 Elkhart Public Works and Utilities serve?
Elkhart Public Works and Utilities serves approximately 46,455 people with drinking water across 9 ZIP codes.
What is Elkhart Public Works and Utilities's water source?
Elkhart Public Works and Utilities draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Elkhart Public Works and Utilities's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.002 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Elkhart Public Works and Utilities's service area?
The Elkhart Public Works and Utilities service area has a median household income of $65,864. EPA EJScreen data classifies 35% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Elkhart Public Works and Utilities get its water?
Elkhart Public Works and Utilities'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 the exported violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is classified as elevated.

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Elkhart Public Works and Utilities (IN): 4 EPA Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/in5220008/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-water-system-in5220008,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Elkhart Public Works and Utilities (IN): 4 EPA Violations}},
  year   = {n.d.},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/in5220008/}
}

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 โ†’

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report โ†’

3

Contact your utility

Elkhart Public Works and Utilities (EPA ID: IN5220008) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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