Monitoring Violations IN

Vernon Water Department

EPA ID: IN5240009 · 538 people served · 1 ZIP code

Looking at the EPA enforcement file for Vernon Water Department, 1 violation are listed as unresolved — those findings cover the utility's service area of approximately 538 people and remain open in the federal compliance system, awaiting formal corrective action documentation.

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

D · 52
Avg Safety Score
538
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
2
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.00858 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
2
Contaminants Flagged
$83K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Vernon Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$67,188
Median Household Income
224
Service Area Population
0%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
78%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Vernon Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $67,188 and an estimated 224 residents across its service area. Approximately 78% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Vernon Water Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
40th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Jennings 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

126 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Lead
Pipe Material
0 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 100% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Vernon Water Department compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Surface Water Treatment 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. 1 detection 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 →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Indiana

0 violations
0 violations
C 15 violations
Orland Water Works
530 people
C 3 violations
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
PFAS Treatment $500
Total Estimated Cost $1,700

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:

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 $1,700 (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

Vernon Water Department (EPA ID: IN5240009) is a community water system in Indiana that serves approximately 538 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 47282 in Vernon.

Average Home Safety Score: D (52/100)

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

Violation History

2 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
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
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Surface Water Treatment 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
47282 0.00858 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

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Vernon Water Department (IN5240009) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vernon Water Department water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Vernon Water Department serve?

Vernon Water Department serves approximately 538 people across 1 ZIP code in Indiana.

Where does Vernon Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

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
171
Unknown Material
53
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 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 538
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 Vernon Water Department safe to drink?
Vernon Water Department has a D safety grade based on 2 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Vernon Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Stage 2 DBP 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 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 Vernon Water Department serve?
Vernon Water Department serves approximately 538 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Vernon Water Department's water source?
Vernon Water Department draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Vernon Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00858 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Vernon Water Department's service area?
The Vernon Water Department service area has a median household income of $67,188. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Vernon Water Department get its water?
Vernon Water Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. 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

Vernon Water Department (EPA ID: IN5240009) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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