Is Elkhart, IN tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Elkhart Public Works and Utilities. 6 PFAS were detected below the limits.

2 public water systems serve parts of Elkhart. The largest, Elkhart Public Works and Utilities, serves 46,455 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Elkhart Public Works and Utilities

46,455 people · Groundwater · EPA ID IN5220008

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA One sample above limit	2.6 ppt	4 ppt	One sample above limit
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFHxS Detected, below limit	7.1 ppt	10 ppt	Detected, below limit
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 2 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Across Indiana, 6 of 219 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 6 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Indiana results.

Elkhart homes and lead pipes

68%

of homes built before 1980 (Indiana 55%, US 50%)

33%

built before 1950 (Indiana 21%)

47%

of households rent (Indiana 29%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Elkhart city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Elkhart

Elkhart Mobile Home Park Water System
96 people · Groundwater · Indiana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Mishawaka 11 mi Mishawaka Utilities	Mishawaka Utilities	None above limits	7.1 ppb
Goshen 11 mi Goshen Water Utility	Goshen Water Utility	None above limits	5.8 ppb
South Bend 16 mi South Bend Water Works	South Bend Water Works	Above limit	4.7 ppb
Michigan City 47 mi Michigan City Department of Water Works	Michigan City Department of Water Works	None above limits	1.9 ppb
Valparaiso 58 mi Valparaiso Department of Water Works	Valparaiso Department of Water Works	None above limits	3.7 ppb
Fort Wayne 59 mi Fort Wayne – 3 Rivers Filtration Plant	Fort Wayne – 3 Rivers Filtration Plant	None above limits	2.62 ppb

Elkhart ZIP codes (2)

46514
46516

Questions

Is Elkhart tap water safe to drink?

Elkhart Public Works and Utilities has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Elkhart, IN?

2 public water systems serve parts of Elkhart. The largest is Elkhart Public Works and Utilities (46,455 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Elkhart tap water have PFAS?

Elkhart Public Works and Utilities had 6 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Elkhart homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 68% of Elkhart homes as built before 1980 (Indiana: 55%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Elkhart Public Works and Utilities's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.