Is Indiana Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Water quality data for 17 cities across Indiana. Find your city below.
Water quality in Indiana varies significantly from city to city. Across 17 cities we track, hardness ranges from 130 PPM in Evansville to 296 PPM in Carmel, with a statewide average of 241 PPM. 17 of 17 cities have hard water above 120 PPM where a water softener provides measurable benefits.
3 Indiana cities have forever chemicals (PFAS) above the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 parts per trillion: South Bend (73.43 ppt), Anderson (4.1 ppt), Terre Haute (12.3 ppt). A reverse osmosis system or NSF P473-certified filter can reduce PFAS to safe levels.
Complete Indiana Guide
Statewide water quality overview, costs, and treatment recommendations.
Well Water in Indiana
Testing, treatment, and common issues for private wells.
Hardest Water Rankings
Indiana cities ranked by water hardness level.
City Treatment Guides
Sized recommendations based on each city's specific water data.
City Comparisons
Carmel vs Evansville
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Carmel vs Noblesville
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Noblesville vs Indianapolis
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Indiana Cities by Water Hardness
| City | Hardness (PPM) | Level | PFAS (ppt) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmel | 296 | Extremely Hard | 0 | Groundwater wells, White River |
| Noblesville | 290 | Extremely Hard | 3.15 | White River & wells |
| Indianapolis | 280 | Extremely Hard | 18.71 | White River + groundwater |
| Indianapolis Downtown | 280 | Extremely Hard | 18.71 | White River + Fall Creek |
| South Bend | 276 | Extremely Hard | 73.43 | Groundwater wells |
| Greenwood | 275 | Extremely Hard | 8.85 | White River & local wells |
| Fort Wayne | 274 | Extremely Hard | 9.78 | St. Joseph River, groundwater |
| Kokomo | 260 | Extremely Hard | 0 | Wildcat Creek & wells |
| Anderson | 255 | Extremely Hard | 4.1 | Mounds Lake & wells |
| Fishers | 251 | Extremely Hard | 0 | Geist Reservoir, wells |
| Muncie | 250 | Extremely Hard | 0 | Prairie Creek Reservoir |
| Terre Haute | 240 | Very Hard | 12.3 | Wabash River alluvial wells |
| Lafayette | 233 | Very Hard | 0 | Wabash River wells |
| Jeffersonville | 195 | Very Hard | 0 | Ohio River |
| Hammond | 171 | Hard | 0 | Lake Michigan |
| Bloomington | 140 | Hard | 0 | Lake Monroe, Griffy Lake |
| Evansville | 130 | Hard | 0 | Ohio River |