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East Chicago, IN Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for East Chicago, IN — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at East Chicago's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: East Chicago Water Works PWSID: IN5245012 Updated: 2026 Q2
✅

No federal limits exceeded on record

Lead is 8.00 ppb, 53% of the action level and no violations are open. No PFAS was detected.

B

East Chicago earns a B for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: 8.00 ppb — 53% of the federal action level
PFAS tested, none detected
15 violations since 2015, 1 health-based
No violations currently open
East Chicago's lead level vs. all Indiana community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: 8.00 ppb — 53% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than 7% of Indiana utilities
Population Served
25219
~7000 connections
Water Source
Surface water
Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW
Active Violations
0
15 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
53% of EPA action level
8.00 ppb
Action level: 15 ppb
The 90th-percentile lead result is 8.00 ppb, 53% of the 15 ppb federal action level. The action level is a treatment trigger, not a legal maximum, and it is measured across sampled taps rather than at any single home.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

ContaminantTypeMeasuredLimitPeriodStatus
Revised Total Coliform Rule REPORTING FAILURE — — 2025 Resolved
TTHM MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.080 mg/L 2024 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.060 mg/L 2024 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule REPORTING FAILURE — — 2024 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2024 Resolved
TTHM MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.080 mg/L 2023 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.060 mg/L 2023 Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2022 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule OTHER — — 2021 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule REPORTING FAILURE — — 2018 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.060 mg/L 2018 Resolved
TTHM MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.080 mg/L 2018 Resolved
TTHM MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.080 mg/L 2016 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.060 mg/L 2016 Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2015 Resolved
Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

15 violations are on record since 2015, of which 1 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility East Chicago Water Works
PWSID IN5245012
Water source Surface water — Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW
Population served 25,219
Service connections 7,000
Systems serving this area 2
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is East Chicago tap water safe to drink? ▼
No federal limit is exceeded on record. No violations are currently open. Lead is 8.00 ppb, 53% of the action level.
Does East Chicago water have PFAS? ▼
It was tested for the six regulated PFAS compounds and none were detected.
Who supplies water to East Chicago? ▼
East Chicago Water Works (PWSID IN5245012), one of 2 systems serving this area. Surface water. Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2024-01-25. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should East Chicago Residents Do?

1
Consider a filter certified for lead
Look for NSF/ANSI 53 certification for lead reduction.
2
Check for a lead service line
Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.
3
Flush before drinking
If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

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