Monitoring Violations IN

Plainfield Water Works

EPA ID: IN5232020 · 34,477 people served · 6 ZIP codes

Not yet resolved: 2 EPA violations at Plainfield Water Works, affecting about 34,477 residents.

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

C · 55
Avg Safety Score
34,477
People Served
6
ZIP Codes Served
12
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.00169 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
6
Contaminants Flagged
$256K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Stable · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 1 (2021) to 3 (2025). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$86,413
Median Household Income
150,566
Service Area Population
17%
Disadvantaged Population
33th
Poverty Percentile
53th
Energy Burden Percentile
38%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Plainfield Water Works serves a community with a median household income of $86,413 and an estimated 150,566 residents across its service area.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Plainfield 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
67th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
57th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Morgan 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 67th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

Infrastructure Risk

39 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
31 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 56% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Plainfield Water Works compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 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.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 1 DBP 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. 21 detections recorded.

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 →

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

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Indiana

C 5 violations
B 13 violations
0 violations
B 13 violations
Goshen Water Utility
32,267 people
C 14 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,300
Radon Mitigation $933
PFAS Treatment $500
Water Filtration $100
Total Estimated Cost $2,833

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.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

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

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,833 (one-time) vs. $10,330 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

PLAINFIELD WATER WORKS (EPA ID: IN5232020) is a community water system in Indiana that serves approximately 34,477 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: C (55/100)

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

Violation History

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

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 2, 2025 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
March 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 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 5 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 3 No
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
46168 0.00169 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 Plainfield Water Works (IN5232020) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Plainfield Water Works water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Plainfield Water Works serve?

Plainfield Water Works serves approximately 34,477 people across 6 ZIP codes in Indiana.

Where does Plainfield Water Works get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
317-839-3490
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.
Address
5206 W. Main St., Plainfield

Contact information from Plainfield Water Works Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Groundwater
Drawn from underground aquifers via wells.
Disinfectant used
Chlorine
Treatment chemicals reported
chlorinefluoridepolyphosphate

Source: Plainfield Water Works Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Multi-stage
Multiple treatment stages — typically coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. Common for surface-water systems requiring removal of particulates, microorganisms, and dissolved organic compounds before disinfection.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorine
Corrosion inhibitor
Coats pipe interiors to reduce lead and copper leaching from premise plumbing.
polyphosphate
Fluoridation
Added at low levels per state or local public-health policy for dental health.
fluoride

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Plainfield Water Works Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

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
7
Latest sample
10/15/2025
Highest analyte
PFPeA: 7.1 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFPeA 7.1 ppt
PFBS 3.8 ppt
PFHxA 3.7 ppt

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
210
Unknown Material
10,830
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: 34,477
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 →

Notable events and violations

This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.

Federal compliance violations on record

These entries are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR violations section. EPA defines four broad violation categories: Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), Treatment Technique (TT), Monitoring & Reporting (M&R), and Public Notification (PN).

  • monitoring · coliform (E. Coli)
    2023-12-31 to 2024-01-30
    Failed to provide coliform (E. Coli) sample results to the state or provide notification that a monitoring violation occurred.

Violations record from Plainfield Water Works Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.

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 Plainfield Water Works safe to drink?
Plainfield Water Works has a C safety grade based on 12 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Plainfield Water Works's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 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 Plainfield Water Works serve?
Plainfield Water Works serves approximately 34,477 people with drinking water across 6 ZIP codes.
What is Plainfield Water Works's water source?
Plainfield Water Works draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Plainfield Water Works's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00169 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Plainfield Water Works's service area?
The Plainfield Water Works service area has a median household income of $86,413. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Plainfield Water Works get its water?
Plainfield 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

Plainfield Water Works (EPA ID: IN5232020) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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