Monitoring Violations IN

Bluffton Utilities Water Department

EPA ID: IN5290001 · 10,298 people served · 3 ZIP codes

A total of 1 EPA violation spanning the past five monitoring years sit on Bluffton Utilities Water Department's record — every finding has been officially cleared, and the supplier now holds current compliance status for its service population of approximately 10,298 people, with no outstanding enforcement of any kind.

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

D · 53
Avg Safety Score
10,298
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
1
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0044 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
1
Contaminants Flagged
$165K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$83,371
Median Household Income
16,729
Service Area Population
29%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
72%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Bluffton Utilities Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $83,371 and an estimated 16,729 residents across its service area. Approximately 72% 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

Bluffton Utilities Water Department'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.

Low Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
30th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Wells 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

91 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
1 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 99% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Bluffton Utilities Water Department compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Indiana

C 1 violation
City of Boonville
10,260 people
B 7 violations
D 26 violations
B 1 violation
C 5 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,000
Total Estimated Cost $2,200

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.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,200 (one-time) vs. $5,000 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

Bluffton Utilities Water Department (EPA ID: IN5290001) is a community water system in Indiana that serves approximately 10,298 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (53/100)

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

Violation History

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

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 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
46714 0.0044 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 2 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 Bluffton Utilities Water Department (IN5290001) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bluffton Utilities Water Department water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Bluffton Utilities Water Department serve?

Bluffton Utilities Water Department serves approximately 10,298 people across 3 ZIP codes in Indiana.

Where does Bluffton Utilities Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.

Samples collected
58

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:

787
Confirmed Lead
50
Galvanized — Replacement Required
1,435
Unknown Material
2,243
Confirmed Non-Lead

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 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 10,298
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 Bluffton Utilities Water Department safe to drink?
Bluffton Utilities Water Department has a D safety grade based on 1 recorded violation. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Bluffton Utilities Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 contaminant 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 Bluffton Utilities Water Department serve?
Bluffton Utilities Water Department serves approximately 10,298 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Bluffton Utilities Water Department's water source?
Bluffton Utilities Water Department draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Bluffton Utilities Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0044 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Bluffton Utilities Water Department's service area?
The Bluffton Utilities Water Department service area has a median household income of $83,371. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Bluffton Utilities Water Department get its water?
Bluffton Utilities Water Department'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.

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

Bluffton Utilities Water Department (EPA ID: IN5290001) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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