PFAS in Drinking Water in Indiana
What residents of Indiana need to know about PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water — including contamination sources, which utilities have documented violations, and how to filter PFAS from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, CDC · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is PFAS in drinking water a real concern in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana has documented PFAS contamination from Grissom Air Reserve Base in Miami County, Camp Atterbury near Edinburgh, and from 3M/industrial manufacturing legacy in the northern Indiana corridor. Several Indiana public water systems have detected PFAS at levels requiring monitoring and some have required treatment under state guidance.
Where does PFAS come from in Indiana?
Grissom ARB in Miami County and Camp Atterbury (Johnson County) are the primary military PFAS sources in Indiana. Industrial manufacturing in the Lafayette and northern Indiana corridor — tied to legacy PFAS manufacturing and use in plastics, automotive, and steel production — has also contributed to groundwater contamination in multiple counties.
What should Indiana residents know?
Indiana IDEM has conducted statewide PFAS sampling and identified multiple systems with detections. The state has worked with utilities to evaluate treatment options. Residents near Grissom ARB and Camp Atterbury and private well users in counties with known industrial PFAS sources should review available monitoring data.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL (PFOA/PFOS) | 4 ppt — effective April 2024 |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary contamination sources | Grissom ARB (Miami County), Camp Atterbury (Johnson County), industrial manufacturing (northern corridor) |
| State regulator | Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) |
| Health effects | Cancer (kidney, testicular), thyroid disruption, immune effects, developmental toxicity |
| Private well risk | Rural Indiana counties near industrial and military sources — unregulated, must test independently |
| Effective treatment | Reverse osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58) or activated carbon certified for PFAS |
Why PFAS Matters in Indiana
Indiana's industrial manufacturing heritage — steel, auto parts, plastics, electronics — has left PFAS contamination in parts of the state beyond the military installation footprint. Grissom Air Reserve Base in Miami County has documented AFFF contamination of surrounding groundwater. Camp Atterbury near Edinburgh has also been a focus of monitoring. Indiana IDEM has been active in conducting PFAS assessments at public water systems and has provided guidance on treatment options. The state's significant groundwater reliance in rural areas means many residents face potential private well exposure without regulatory protection.
Indiana PFAS Regulation
Indiana IDEM coordinates PFAS investigations at Grissom ARB (former Grissom AFB), Camp Atterbury, and industrial sites in the Gary/East Chicago corridor. The state participates in federal UCMR5 monitoring for large systems. Indiana does not have a state PFAS MCL more protective than federal.
Largest Indiana Water Utilities
No PFAS violations on record in EPA SDWIS for Indiana utilities in our database. Browse the largest utilities to review their full water quality record.
What Are PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)?
PFAS are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and AFFF firefighting foam. Their carbon-fluorine bonds do not break down in the environment or the body — hence the name “forever chemicals.” AFFF used at military bases is the single largest source of PFAS in U.S. drinking water.
Full PFAS overview — national data, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Residents of Bunker Hill and Peru in Miami County near Grissom ARB, communities near Camp Atterbury in Johnson County, and private well users in counties with industrial manufacturing legacy (Tippecanoe, Cass, Vigo, and Lake counties) face elevated exposure risk.
Residents near military bases with AFFF use history
Private well owners near military or industrial sites
Pregnant residents and families with young children
Residents in communities with documented PFAS detections
Anyone who has consumed water above 4 ppt for an extended period
Residents near airports, fire training areas, or industrial manufacturers
How to Check Your Situation in Indiana
- 1
Identify your water utility using the ZIP lookup below or by browsing the Indiana utility directory on this site.
- 2
Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — it must report PFAS monitoring results under UCMR5 and the new MCL.
- 3
Check the EPA's ECHO database for your utility's monitoring history. Look for PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, and related compound results.
- 4
Contact your utility directly and ask for their most recent PFAS test results and whether they are implementing treatment under the 2024 MCL.
- 5
If you use a private well near a military base, airport, or industrial facility, order a PFAS panel test from a state-certified laboratory. Tests typically cost $150–$400.
- 6
If PFAS is detected above 4 ppt in your source water, install a certified NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis system or an NSF/ANSI 53-certified activated carbon filter rated for PFAS removal.
How to Remove PFAS from Tap Water
Reverse Osmosis (Best)
90–99% removal — NSF/ANSI 58 certified systems only
Certified Activated Carbon
Effective with NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification — verify before buying
Boiling concentrates PFAS. Standard pitcher filters and water softeners do not remove PFAS. Always verify NSF certification before purchasing.
Take Action Now
Look up your Indiana utility's PFAS monitoring history on the PFAS Watchlist below.
If your utility has detected PFAS above 4 ppt, install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system at your drinking tap.
Private well owners near military or industrial sites should order a PFAS panel test ($150–$400 at a state-certified lab).
Request your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report — PFAS results must be disclosed under the new 2024 MCL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
PFAS — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with PFAS records
Indiana PFAS Watchlist
Live utility PFAS monitoring data
Indiana State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 90–99% of PFAS
Activated Carbon Filter Guide
NSF/ANSI 53/58 certified options for PFAS
Arsenic in Drinking Water
Another priority contaminant
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
Find Your Utility
State Regulator
Indiana Department of Environmental Management ↗