What was found in South Bend's water
The highest level seen across the city's suppliers, the EPA limit for each, and where the figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 9200 µg/L 92% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 7000 µg/L 70% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 1100 µg/L 28% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 402 µg/L 31% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 260 µg/L 13% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 46.6 µg/L 58% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 15.7 µg/L 26% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 14.9 µg/L 99% of the EPA limit 15 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 8.3 pCi/L 55% of the EPA limit 15 pCi/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 6.7 µg/L 67% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | 6.5 µg/L 9.3% of the EPA limit 70 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 5.9 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 4.1 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 3.4 µg/L 3.4% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 3.2 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 2.5 µg/L 5% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 1.9 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | 1.6 µg/L 32% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 1.25 pCi/L 25% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroethylene | 1 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | 0.9000 µg/L 0.5% of the EPA limit 200 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 0.8000 µg/L 16% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Gross Beta Particle Activity | 0.6170 pCi/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Vinyl Chloride | 0.2000 µg/L 10% of the EPA limit 2 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Pfpea | 0.0397 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| PFHXS | 0.0256 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfba | 0.0232 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfhxa | 0.0208 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| PFOA | 0.0100 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| PFBS | 0.0087 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfhpa | 0.0083 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfpes | 0.0072 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Lead | 0.0047 mg/L 31% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L | 3/3 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving South Bend
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| SOUTH BEND WATER WORKS | 115,000 |
| CLEARWATER VILLAGE MOBILE HOME PARK | 400 |
| SUNSET VILLAGE & RV PARK | 25 |
Frequently asked questions about South Bend tap water
Is South Bend tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 33 contaminants in the water serving South Bend. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve South Bend?
3 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for South Bend, Indiana to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in South Bend's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in South Bend include Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrite, Fluoride, Copper, Barium. The full list, with the highest level found and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.