Water System Report IN

Wakarusa Water Works

EPA ID: IN5220029 · 1,998 people served · 2 ZIP codes

In the most recent five-year monitoring window, Wakarusa Water Works posted zero EPA violations serving 1,998 residents.

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

B · 70
Avg Safety Score
1,998
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.00057 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$194K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$66,319
Median Household Income
29,381
Service Area Population
33%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
68%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Wakarusa Water Works serves a community with a median household income of $66,319 and an estimated 29,381 residents across its service area. Approximately 68% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 33% 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

Wakarusa 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.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
70th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
70th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Elkhart County, Indiana rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

55 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
13 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 81% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 6 detections recorded. 1 exceeds 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 →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Indiana

Dillsboro Water Works
2,000 people
B 0 violations
B 1 violation
C 4 violations
0 violations
B 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,200
PFAS Treatment $300
Total Estimated Cost $2,700

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:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$165
10 years
$330
20 years
$660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,700 (one-time) vs. $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

Wakarusa Water Works (EPA ID: IN5220029) is a community water system in Indiana that serves approximately 1,998 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: B (70/100)

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

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
46573 0.00057 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 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 Wakarusa Water Works (IN5220029) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wakarusa Water Works water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Wakarusa Water Works has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Wakarusa Water Works serve?

Wakarusa Water Works serves approximately 1,998 people across 2 ZIP codes in Indiana.

Where does Wakarusa Water Works 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:

0
Confirmed Lead
32
Galvanized — Replacement Required
492
Unknown Material
313
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: 1,998
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 Wakarusa Water Works safe to drink?
Wakarusa Water Works earns a B safety grade with 0 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
Should I use a water filter?
Wakarusa Water Works meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Wakarusa Water Works serve?
Wakarusa Water Works serves approximately 1,998 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Wakarusa Water Works's water source?
Wakarusa Water Works draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Wakarusa Water Works's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00057 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Wakarusa Water Works's service area?
The Wakarusa Water Works service area has a median household income of $66,319. EPA EJScreen data classifies 33% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Wakarusa Water Works get its water?
Wakarusa 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 available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.
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