Health Violations Found IN 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Universal Water Works

EPA ID: IN5283011 · 473 people served · 5 ZIP codes

Where compliant utilities carry no open actions, Universal Water Works shows 3 active EPA violations in the federal database for a service population of approximately 473.

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

D · 48
Avg Safety Score
473
People Served
5
ZIP Codes Served
7
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0014 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
3
Contaminants Flagged
$114K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$64,375
Median Household Income
11,799
Service Area Population
23%
Disadvantaged Population
58th
Poverty Percentile
78th
Energy Burden Percentile
69%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Universal Water Works serves a community with a median household income of $64,375 and an estimated 11,799 residents across its service area. Approximately 69% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Universal 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
64th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
46th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Vermillion 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 64th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

Infrastructure Risk

59 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
8 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 88% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Universal Water Works compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

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

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

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 2 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. 2 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 →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Indiana

0 violations
B 7 violations
Hideaway Hills
470 people
0 violations
D 12 violations
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,040
Flood Insurance $480
Water Filtration $120
PFAS Treatment $100
Total Estimated Cost $1,740

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 $1,740 (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

UNIVERSAL WATER WORKS (EPA ID: IN5283011) is a community water system in Indiana that serves approximately 473 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 5 ZIP codes across 5 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (48/100)

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

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 3 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Resolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2023 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 3 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 Yes

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
47884 0.0014 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: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 4 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.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Universal Water Works (IN5283011) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Universal Water Works water safe to drink?

Universal Water Works has recorded 1 health-based violation 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 Universal Water Works serve?

Universal Water Works serves approximately 473 people across 5 ZIP codes in Indiana.

Where does Universal Water Works get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Universal Water Works safe to drink?
Universal Water Works has a D safety grade based on 7 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Universal Water Works's water?
Detected contaminants include Surface Water Treatment Rule, Stage 1 DBP Rule, Stage 2 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 3 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 Universal Water Works serve?
Universal Water Works serves approximately 473 people with drinking water across 5 ZIP codes.
What is Universal Water Works's water source?
Universal Water Works draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Universal Water Works's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0014 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Universal Water Works's service area?
The Universal Water Works service area has a median household income of $64,375. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Universal Water Works get its water?
Universal 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

Universal Water Works (EPA ID: IN5283011) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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