Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Water quality data for 2 cities serving 929,345 residents
Marion County in Indiana has an average water quality score of 75/100 (Grade C) based on analysis of 2 municipal water systems. The county's water systems serve approximately 929,345 residents.
Water quality in Marion County is fair, with some cities showing room for improvement. 1 cities have scores below 70, indicating elevated contaminant levels that residents should be aware of. Indianapolis has the best water quality at 91/100.
2 cities ranked by water quality score
| Rank | City | Score | Grade | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis Biggest deduction: Other PFAS detected in UCMR5 sampling: PFBS 4 ppt, PFBA 5.7 ppt, PFHxA 5.1 ppt, PFPeA 7.6 ppt (−6 pts) | 91 | A | 880,345 |
| 2 | Lawrence Biggest deduction: 4 health-based violations (MCL/treatment-technique) in the last 5 years (−40 pts) | 59 | F | 49,000 |
Real EPA readings across county water systems (lead: latest 90th percentile; PFAS: UCMR5 2023–2026; others: 2012–2019 averages)
| Contaminant | Avg Level | Max Level | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Cities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TTHM (2012–2019 avg) | 35.406 ug/L | 47.503 ug/L | 80 ug/L | 44.3% | 2 |
| HAA5 (2012–2019 avg) | 25.474 ug/L | 38.069 ug/L | 60 ug/L | 42.5% | 2 |
| Radium (2012–2019 avg) | 1.064 pCi/L | 1.064 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | 21.3% | 1 |
| Lead (90th percentile) | 2.97 ppb | 5.18 ppb | 15 ppb | 19.8% | 2 |
| Fluoride (2012–2019 avg) | 0.769 mg/L | 0.774 mg/L | 4 mg/L | 19.2% | 2 |
| Nitrate (2012–2019 avg) | 0.528 mg/L | 0.951 mg/L | 10 mg/L | 5.3% | 2 |
| Uranium (2012–2019 avg) | 0.805 ug/L | 0.805 ug/L | 30 ug/L | 2.7% | 1 |
| Arsenic (2012–2019 avg) | 0.255 ug/L | 0.317 ug/L | 10 ug/L | 2.6% | 2 |
Recent violations across county water systems
Health-based: MCL exceeded — Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, E. coli (RTCR) - Revised Total Coliform Rule
7/31/2021
Reporting — Report Sample Result/Fail Monitor (RTCR) - Revised Total Coliform Rule
12/31/2021
Monitoring & reporting — Monitoring, Turbidity (Enhanced SWTR) - Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
10/31/2020
Water quality in Marion County, Indiana reflects the region's unique combination of water sources, treatment infrastructure, and environmental factors. Our comprehensive analysis examines 2 municipal water systems serving a combined population of over 929,345 residents.
The county shows moderate water quality performance, with scores ranging from 59/100 in Lawrence to 91/100 in Indianapolis. This 32-point spread indicates significant variation in water quality across the county, suggesting different water sources or treatment approaches.
The most prevalent contaminants detected across Marion County water systems include TTHM (2012–2019 avg), HAA5 (2012–2019 avg), Radium (2012–2019 avg). Every county-wide average sits below 50% of its EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).
Water quality in Marion County is fair but shows room for improvement. Residents in cities scoring below 70 should consider water filtration, particularly for drinking and cooking. Check your specific city's report above for personalized recommendations.
Marion County has an average water quality score of 75/100 (Grade C) based on analysis of 2 municipal water systems serving 929,345 residents.
Indianapolis has the highest water quality score in Marion County at 91/100. View the detailed report for Indianapolis.
Given the water quality variation across Marion County, we recommend reviewing your specific city's water quality report. 1 cities have scores below 70, where filtration is particularly recommended.
Click on any city in the rankings table above to view its detailed water quality report, including contaminant levels, EPA compliance history, and filter recommendations.