Citizens Water - Indianapolis
EPA ID: IN5249004 · 880,345 people served · 96 ZIP codes
Unlike fully compliant utilities, Citizens Water - Indianapolis has 9 outstanding EPA violations for approximately 880,345 residents.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 75 (2021) to 190 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Citizens Water - Indianapolis Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Citizens Water - Indianapolis serves a community with a median household income of $82,850 and an estimated 1,778,693 residents across its service area. Approximately 52% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 37% 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?
Citizens Water - Indianapolis'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.
About 1% of homes in Hamilton County, Indiana rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 62th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Citizens Water - Indianapolis compares to EPA limits
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.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 16 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 8 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 2 DBP Rule at 6 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. 242 detections recorded.
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
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
CITIZENS WATER - INDIANAPOLIS (EPA ID: IN5249004) is a community water system in Indiana that serves approximately 880,345 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 96 ZIP codes across 30 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: D (50/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2, 2025 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Unresolved |
| May 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Unresolved |
| February 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Barium | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Health-based | Unresolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 7, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Radium-228 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 11, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| March 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Barium | 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 | 16 | Yes |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 8 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 6 | Yes |
| Barium | Inorganic | 3 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 3 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 2959 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 1 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 1 | Yes |
Health Risk Details
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (EPA limit: 0.06 mg/L)
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects At-risk groups: pregnant women, infants, long-term consumers of chlorinated municipal water.
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46118 | 0.009 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46201 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46202 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46203 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46204 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46205 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46206 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46207 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46208 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46209 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46211 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46213 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46214 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46216 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46217 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46218 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46219 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46220 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46221 | 0.00518 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 46222 | 0.00518 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: 69 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 27 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
This system serves 96 ZIP codes:
46032 · 46033 · 46034 · 46037 · 46038 46040 · 46052 · 46055 · 46060 · 46062 46069 · 46074 · 46075 · 46077 · 46107 46110 · 46112 · 46113 · 46118 · 46122 46123 · 46126 · 46130 · 46140 · 46142 46143 · 46157 · 46158 · 46162 · 46163 46167 · 46168 · 46180 · 46201 · 46202 46203 · 46204 · 46205 · 46206 · 46207 46208 · 46209 · 46211 · 46213 · 46214 46216 · 46217 · 46218 · 46219 · 46220 46221 · 46222 · 46223 · 46224 · 46225 46226 · 46227 · 46228 · 46229 · 46230 46231 · 46234 · 46235 · 46236 · 46237 46239 · 46240 · 46241 · 46242 · 46244 46247 · 46249 · 46250 · 46251 · 46253 46254 · 46255 · 46256 · 46259 · 46260 46262 · 46266 · 46268 · 46274 · 46275 46277 · 46278 · 46280 · 46282 · 46283 46285 · 46290 · 46291 · 46295 · 46296 46298
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Citizens Water - Indianapolis (IN5249004) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Citizens Water - Indianapolis water safe to drink?
Citizens Water - Indianapolis has recorded 5 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does Citizens Water - Indianapolis serve?
Citizens Water - Indianapolis serves approximately 880,345 people across 96 ZIP codes in Indiana.
Where does Citizens Water - Indianapolis get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
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.
Contact information from Citizens Energy Group 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: Citizens Energy Group Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.
An inventory of identified potential sources of contamination upstream of each surface water treatment facility has been conducted by the United States Geological Survey for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).
Treatment regime
How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.
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.
Watershed exposure sources reported
Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.
Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Citizens Energy Group 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.
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 →
PFAS Substances Detected in This System
This water system's Consumer Confidence Report disclosed the following PFAS compounds. Levels are from the utility's most recent reporting cycle.
In April 2024, EPA finalized the first National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS. Public water systems have until 2029 to comply. EPA — PFAS regulation overview →
Source: Consumer Confidence Report disclosed by Citizens Energy Group.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. PFAS detection data is sourced from public Consumer Confidence Reports filed by the utility itself.
Citizens received approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in 2022 to begin implementing a lead service line replacement program for customers. This program enables Citizens to replace all customer-owned lead-containing service lines within its service territory, estimated to be between 55,000 and 75,000.
Lead Service Line Replacement Tracker
This water utility's lead service line (LSL) replacement program is tracked from public Consumer Confidence Report filings. Email signup notifies subscribers when the utility files an updated replacement plan or progress milestone.
Citizens Energy Group
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. LSL replacement-program data is sourced from public CCR filings published by the utility. Subscription notifications are based on automated parsing of subsequent CCR releases.
Learn more about Lead and Copper Rule replacement requirements →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
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.
Aesthetic water quality
These measurements describe the look, taste, and feel of the water this utility delivers. They are not contaminant violations — they sit alongside federal Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) which the EPA publishes as non-enforceable guidance.
Aesthetic measurements from Citizens Energy Group Consumer Confidence Report.
Aesthetic measurements are reported by the utility from its annual sampling. EPA Secondary MCLs are advisory thresholds — values outside them indicate aesthetic concerns such as taste or appearance, not health violations. Federal contaminant testing is shown in the sections above.
Hard water detected in Citizens Energy Group
Your utility reported water hardness of 292 ppm CaCO₃ (17 grains per gallon) in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report. This is in the very hard range and may cause scale buildup, reduced appliance lifespan, and dry skin or hair.
There are three common approaches to treating hard water: salt-based ion-exchange softeners (most effective, require salt refills), salt-free conditioners (lower maintenance, scale prevention only), and reverse osmosis at the kitchen sink (cooking and drinking water only). Aquasana, EcoWater, Pelican, and SpringWell are among the major US brands.
Paid Partner. ZipCheckup earns commission on Aquasana purchases. We do not test water or verify product effectiveness for specific hardness levels — manufacturer claims are theirs alone. Consult a certified water-quality professional for personalized advice.
Hardness data parsed from this utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report. Severity bands per USGS hard water classification.
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
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Citizens Water - Indianapolis (EPA ID: IN5249004) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.