Is Michigan City, 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 Michigan City Department of Water Works.

5 public water systems serve parts of Michigan City. The largest, Michigan City Department of Water Works, serves 33,996 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Michigan City Department of Water Works

33,996 people · Surface water · EPA ID IN5246020

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFHxS Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
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: 1.9 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, 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.

Michigan City homes and lead pipes

73%

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

30%

built before 1950 (Indiana 21%)

41%

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 Michigan City city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Michigan City

Duneland Beach Association
300 people · Purchased surface water · Indiana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Colonial Mobile Court Water System
99 people · Groundwater · Indiana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
Indian Springs Town Homes Water System
90 people · Groundwater · Indiana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
Neighbors of Beechwood LLC
63 people · Groundwater · Indiana · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 2 health-based violations since 2016

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Valparaiso 18 mi Valparaiso Department of Water Works	Valparaiso Department of Water Works	None above limits	3.7 ppb
Hobart 25 mi Indiana American Water – Northwest	Indiana American Water – Northwest	None above limits	3 ppb
Gary 26 mi Indiana American Water – Northwest	Indiana American Water – Northwest	None above limits	3 ppb
Merrillville 28 mi Indiana American Water – Northwest	Indiana American Water – Northwest	None above limits	3 ppb
East Chicago 30 mi East Chicago Water Works	East Chicago Water Works	None above limits	8 ppb
South Bend 31 mi South Bend Water Works	South Bend Water Works	Above limit	4.7 ppb

Michigan City ZIP codes (1)

46360

Questions

Is Michigan City tap water safe to drink?

Michigan City Department of Water Works 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 Michigan City, IN?

5 public water systems serve parts of Michigan City. The largest is Michigan City Department of Water Works (33,996 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Michigan City tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Michigan City Department of Water Works had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Michigan City homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 73% of Michigan City 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. Michigan City Department of Water Works'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.