Is West Lafayette, 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 Purdue University Water Works. 6 PFAS were detected below the limits.

2 public water systems serve parts of West Lafayette. The largest, Purdue University Water Works, serves 50,000 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Purdue University Water Works

50,000 people · Groundwater · EPA ID IN5279015

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFHxS Detected, below limit	5.2 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: 0 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

Full Purdue University Water Works results

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.

West Lafayette homes and lead pipes

36%

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

built before 1950 (Indiana 21%)

71%

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

Other water systems serving West Lafayette

Indiana American Water – West Lafayette
35,533 people · Groundwater · Indiana · lists this city
Lithium above screening level

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Lafayette 4 mi Lafayette Water Works	Lafayette Water Works	None above limits	0.47 ppb
Kokomo 42 mi Indiana American Water – Kokomo	Indiana American Water – Kokomo	None above limits	2 ppb
Zionsville 44 mi Citizens Water – Whitestown	Citizens Water – Whitestown	None above limits	0.33 ppb
Westfield 49 mi Carmel Water Department	Carmel Water Department	None above limits	2.94 ppb
Brownsburg 51 mi Brownsburg Water Works	Brownsburg Water Works	None above limits	0 ppb
Carmel 52 mi Carmel Water Department	Carmel Water Department	None above limits	2.94 ppb

West Lafayette ZIP codes (2)

47906
47907

Questions

Is West Lafayette tap water safe to drink?

Purdue University 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 West Lafayette, IN?

2 public water systems serve parts of West Lafayette. The largest is Purdue University Water Works (50,000 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does West Lafayette tap water have PFAS?

Purdue University Water Works had 6 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do West Lafayette homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 36% of West Lafayette 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. Purdue University 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.