Indianapolis – Indiana – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Indianapolis Citizens Energy Group manages water services for the greater Indianapolis area, serving approximately 400,000 customers across Marion County and portions of surrounding counties. The system includes over 4,000 miles of water mains, multiple treatment facilities, and various surface and groundwater sources, delivering roughly 125 million gallons daily to the Indianapolis metropolitan area.
Indianapolis draws its drinking water from three primary sources: White River, Fall Creek, and Citizens’ network of groundwater wells drawing from the glacial aquifer system. The city utilizes a multi-source approach to ensure reliability during drought conditions or source-specific challenges. Indianapolis water quality has improved significantly in recent decades through substantial investments in advanced treatment technologies, though the system continues to address challenges related to aging infrastructure and emerging contaminants. The utility has implemented comprehensive programs for water quality monitoring, infrastructure renewal, and customer assistance to maintain high water quality standards.
Indianapolis Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead Levels: The most recent testing period (January-December 2023) showed 90th percentile lead levels of 4.2 parts per billion (ppb), significantly below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, reflecting successful corrosion control treatment and ongoing lead service line replacement efforts.
- Testing Scope: Citizens Energy Group conducts over 120,000 water quality tests annually throughout the distribution system, including enhanced monitoring at residential sites, schools, and public facilities.
- Compliance Status: Indianapolis water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards, maintaining full compliance with EPA and Indiana Department of Environmental Management regulations.
Diverse Water Sources
- White River & Fall Creek: Surface water supplies (approximately 60% of system water) treated at White River and Fall Creek treatment plants through multiple barrier processes.
- Groundwater Wells: Network of deep wells (40% of supply) accessing the glacial aquifer system, providing naturally filtered water with consistent quality and temperature.
- Source Water Protection: Comprehensive watershed management programs including buffer zone maintenance, agricultural best practices partnerships, and regular source water assessments.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- Multi-Barrier Treatment: Surface water undergoes coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection with state-of-the-art monitoring at each stage.
- UV Disinfection: Addition of ultraviolet light treatment at main facilities provides enhanced protection against cryptosporidium and other chlorine-resistant pathogens.
- Corrosion Control: Optimized pH adjustment and phosphate-based corrosion inhibitors prevent lead and copper leaching from plumbing systems throughout the distribution network.
Infrastructure Modernization
- Pipeline Replacement: Annual replacement of approximately 35 miles of aging water mains, with priority given to pre-1940 cast iron mains in areas with history of breaks or water quality concerns.
- Lead Service Line Program: Accelerated replacement initiative targeting the estimated 55,000 customer-owned and utility-owned lead service lines throughout the system by 2030.
- Digital Water Initiative: Implementation of advanced sensors, real-time monitoring systems, and predictive analytics to optimize water quality management and rapidly detect potential issues.
Customer Protection Initiatives
Indianapolis provides extensive customer support through the H2O (Help to Others) program offering bill payment assistance for low-income residents. The utility offers free water quality testing for concerned customers, particularly those in older neighborhoods with potential lead service lines. Citizens Energy Group has established a progressive environmental justice framework ensuring equitable distribution of infrastructure improvements across all communities regardless of socioeconomic status. The city maintains transparent communication through detailed annual water quality reports, public notification systems, and community education programs focused on water quality awareness and conservation. The integration of surface and groundwater sources, combined with continuous system upgrades, ensures reliable, high-quality water delivery throughout the Indianapolis metropolitan area.
Recommendations for Indianapolis Residents
Request Water Testing
Contact Citizens Energy Group at (317) 924-3311 or visit citizensenergygroup.com/water-testing to schedule free water quality testing. Testing is particularly recommended for homes built before 1986.
Enroll in Lead Line Replacement
Register for the Indianapolis Lead Service Line Replacement Program, which prioritizes homes with children and pregnant women. Call (317) 927-4328 or visit indianapolislead.org to determine eligibility.
Use Certified Filters
For homes with lead service lines or plumbing, use NSF-certified filters (Standard 53) for drinking and cooking water. Qualifying households can receive free filters through the city’s Water Safety Initiative.
Run Water Before Use
If water has been sitting in pipes for several hours, run cold water for 2-3 minutes before using for drinking or cooking. Always use cold water for consumption, as hot water can contain higher levels of potential contaminants.
Report Concerns
Contact Citizens Energy Group’s 24-hour water quality hotline at (317) 924-3311 for water quality concerns, main breaks, or pressure issues. For emergencies, call the water emergency line at (317) 924-3311, option 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indianapolis tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Indianapolis tap water consistently meets all federal and state drinking water standards. The city employs advanced multi-barrier treatment processes that include filtration, UV disinfection, and chlorination to ensure water quality and safety.
Recent testing shows 90th percentile lead levels at 4.2 ppb, well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb. However, homes built before 1986 may have lead service lines or lead solder in their plumbing. Citizens Energy Group offers free water testing and has accelerated lead service line replacement throughout the system. As a precaution, households with lead plumbing should use NSF-certified filters for drinking and cooking water.
How can I check if my home has lead pipes?
To determine if your Indianapolis home has lead service lines or plumbing:
1. Locate your water service line where it enters your home (typically in the basement or crawl space). Lead pipes appear dull gray, don’t respond to magnets, and can be scratched with a key, revealing a silver-like color.
2. Call Citizens Energy Group at (317) 927-4328 to request a service line verification
3. Check your home’s age – properties built before 1986 are more likely to have lead components
The Indianapolis Lead Service Line Replacement Program offers free inspections and prioritized replacement for qualifying households. Homes built between 1900-1950 have the highest likelihood of lead service lines in Indianapolis.
Why does Indianapolis use multiple water sources?
Indianapolis employs a strategic multi-source water supply approach that provides several important benefits:
• Supply reliability: Multiple sources ensure water availability during drought conditions or when one source faces challenges
• Seasonal optimization: Surface water (White River and Fall Creek) and groundwater sources can be blended differently based on seasonal conditions
• Quality management: Groundwater typically requires less treatment than surface water, improving overall system efficiency
• Capacity flexibility: The diverse portfolio allows the system to meet peak demand periods without overtaxing any single source
This integrated approach has proven particularly valuable during drought periods and helps maintain consistent water quality throughout the year.
Are there water conservation requirements in Indianapolis?
Indianapolis maintains a tiered approach to water conservation based on current conditions:
Normal Conditions (Current Status):
• Voluntary conservation measures encouraged
• Even/odd day outdoor watering recommended (based on address number)
• Morning/evening watering preferred (before 10am or after 6pm)
Drought Response Levels:
During declared water shortages, the city may implement:
• Level 1: Mandatory odd/even watering schedule
• Level 2: Limited outdoor watering (1-2 days per week)
• Level 3: Prohibition of non-essential water use
Current conservation status and recommendations are available at citizensenergygroup.com/conservation or by calling (317) 924-3311.
Contaminants of Concern
Lead
Source: Lead service lines and older plumbing components in homes built before 1986; Indianapolis has approximately 55,000 lead service lines remaining in the system
Health Effects: Developmental issues in children, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular effects, kidney problems, reproductive issues in adults
Current Levels: 90th percentile value of 4.2 ppb, well below EPA action level EPA Limit: Action level 15 ppb, though no level is considered completely safe
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
Source: Industrial discharges, firefighting foam, landfill leachate, and consumer products affecting source water, particularly in the White River watershed
Health Effects: Potential links to increased cholesterol, decreased vaccine response in children, changes in liver enzymes, increased risk of certain cancers with long-term exposure
Current Status: Detected at low levels below EPA health advisory limits; monitored through advanced testing protocols with treatment optimization ongoing
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