Ninestar Connect - Gem Water
EPA ID: IN5230008 · 1,700 people served · 2 ZIP codes
Five clean years on EPA record — Ninestar Connect - Gem Water, 1,700 residents served.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Ninestar Connect - Gem Water Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade B
Service Area Demographics
The Ninestar Connect - Gem Water serves a community with a median household income of $97,114 and an estimated 57,245 residents across its service area. Approximately 47% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Ninestar Connect - Gem Water'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.
About 1% of homes in Hancock 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
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 8 detections recorded.
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
Ninestar Connect - Gem Water (EPA ID: IN5230008) is a community water system in Indiana that serves approximately 1,700 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
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46163 | 0.0022 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: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Ninestar Connect - Gem Water (IN5230008) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ninestar Connect - Gem Water water safe to drink?
Based on EPA records, Ninestar Connect - Gem Water has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.
How many people does Ninestar Connect - Gem Water serve?
Ninestar Connect - Gem Water serves approximately 1,700 people across 2 ZIP codes in Indiana.
Where does Ninestar Connect - Gem Water 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:
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.
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.