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Is Evansville Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, July 25, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Evansville?

Yes, Evansville's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Evansville has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page, the city's water provider website, or Evansville's local Twitter account.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Evansville's water utility, Evansville Water Utility, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. The last violation for Evansville was resolved on Oct. 31, 2015. This assessment is based on the Evansville Water Utility water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Evansville Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Evansville tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Evansville's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Evansville Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Evansville Water Utility for Evansville in Indiana. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

From Oct. 1, 2015 to Oct. 31, 2015, Evansville had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring, Turbidity (Enhanced SWTR) which falls into the Microbials rule code group, and the Surface Water Treatment Rules rule code family for the following contaminant code: Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.

Is there Lead in Evansville Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Evansville water system, Evansville Water Utility, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0 mg/L of lead in Evansville water. This is 0% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Evansville contained more lead.

While Evansville water testing may have found 0.0 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Evansville Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be no military bases near Evansville with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Evansville has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

Evansville SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years

Compliance Period Status Health-Based? Category Code Code Rule Code Contaminant Code Rule Group Code Rule Family Code
10/01/2015 - 10/31/2015 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Turbidity (Enhanced SWTR) (38) Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (122) Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (0300) Microbials (100) Surface Water Treatment Rules (120)

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
show details
Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
show details
Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
show details
Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Evansville Water - Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS A WATER QUALITY REPORT?
To comply with state and federal regulations, The Evansville Filtration Plant issues a report annually describing the quality of your drinking water. The purpose of this report is to raise your understanding of drinking water and the awareness of the need to protect your drinking water sources. If you have any questions about this report or your drinking water, please call 812-428-0568. Answers to questions such as: The City of Evansville’s drinking water comes from the Ohio River. The Evansville filtration plant is located at Ohio River mile marker 791.5 in the Highland-Pigeon Watershed of the Ohio. All stream and urban runoff located within this watershed drains into the Ohio River. For more detailed information on the Highland-Pigeon Watershed, please visit the USEPA’s National Assessment Database at www.epa.gov/waters/. Raw, untreated water flows into an intake structure located on the Ohio River. As the water enters the intake structure, it passes through screens that remove large debris. The untreated water is then pumped into the plant and sampled via an in-line gas chromatograph (the INFICON CMS- 5000), an instrument capable of detecting spills that range from petroleum based compounds to volatile organics. Aluminum polymer coagulants are added so suspended particles within the water bond together until they become large enough to settle out of the water. Caustic is added to control the pH of the water so that it is non-corrosive to plumbing. Fluoride is added to help protect our teeth. If necessary, carbon can be added to the water to remove various organic contaminants in the water and for taste and odor control. Chlorine, a strong disinfectant, is used to kill pathogens (disease causing organisms). After the water travels through the settling basins, it enters the dual media filter beds. Ammonia is added to form chloramines, providing adequate residual disinfection throughout the distribution system. The filters remove any remaining suspended solids and the filtered or finished water is then stored temporarily in our clear wells which are underground reservoirs. The last step is for the water to be pumped out of the clear wells and into the distribution system as needed to meet the demands of the customer. In 2020, the average daily demand was approximately 22.4 (MGD) million gallons of water.
WHAT’S IN THIS REPORT?
Answers to questions such as: The City of Evansville’s drinking water comes from the Ohio River. The Evansville filtration plant is located at Ohio River mile marker 791.5 in the Highland-Pigeon Watershed of the Ohio. All stream and urban runoff located within this watershed drains into the Ohio River. For more detailed information on the Highland-Pigeon Watershed, please visit the USEPA’s National Assessment Database at www.epa.gov/waters/. Raw, untreated water flows into an intake structure located on the Ohio River. As the water enters the intake structure, it passes through screens that remove large debris. The untreated water is then pumped into the plant and sampled via an in-line gas chromatograph (the INFICON CMS- 5000), an instrument capable of detecting spills that range from petroleum based compounds to volatile organics. Aluminum polymer coagulants are added so suspended particles within the water bond together until they become large enough to settle out of the water. Caustic is added to control the pH of the water so that it is non-corrosive to plumbing. Fluoride is added to help protect our teeth. If necessary, carbon can be added to the water to remove various organic contaminants in the water and for taste and odor control. Chlorine, a strong disinfectant, is used to kill pathogens (disease causing organisms). After the water travels through the settling basins, it enters the dual media filter beds. Ammonia is added to form chloramines, providing adequate residual disinfection throughout the distribution system. The filters remove any remaining suspended solids and the filtered or finished water is then stored temporarily in our clear wells which are underground reservoirs. The last step is for the water to be pumped out of the clear wells and into the distribution system as needed to meet the demands of the customer. In 2020, the average daily demand was approximately 22.4 (MGD) million gallons of water.
WHERE DOES MY WATER COME FROM?
The City of Evansville’s drinking water comes from the Ohio River. The Evansville filtration plant is located at Ohio River mile marker 791.5 in the Highland-Pigeon Watershed of the Ohio. All stream and urban runoff located within this watershed drains into the Ohio River. For more detailed information on the Highland-Pigeon Watershed, please visit the USEPA’s National Assessment Database at www.epa.gov/waters/. Raw, untreated water flows into an intake structure located on the Ohio River. As the water enters the intake structure, it passes through screens that remove large debris. The untreated water is then pumped into the plant and sampled via an in-line gas chromatograph (the INFICON CMS- 5000), an instrument capable of detecting spills that range from petroleum based compounds to volatile organics. Aluminum polymer coagulants are added so suspended particles within the water bond together until they become large enough to settle out of the water. Caustic is added to control the pH of the water so that it is non-corrosive to plumbing. Fluoride is added to help protect our teeth. If necessary, carbon can be added to the water to remove various organic contaminants in the water and for taste and odor control. Chlorine, a strong disinfectant, is used to kill pathogens (disease causing organisms). After the water travels through the settling basins, it enters the dual media filter beds. Ammonia is added to form chloramines, providing adequate residual disinfection throughout the distribution system. The filters remove any remaining suspended solids and the filtered or finished water is then stored temporarily in our clear wells which are underground reservoirs. The last step is for the water to be pumped out of the clear wells and into the distribution system as needed to meet the demands of the customer. In 2020, the average daily demand was approximately 22.4 (MGD) million gallons of water.
HOW DO WE TREAT THE WATER?
The City of Evansville’s drinking water comes from the Ohio River. The Evansville filtration plant is located at Ohio River mile marker 791.5 in the Highland-Pigeon Watershed of the Ohio. All stream and urban runoff located within this watershed drains into the Ohio River. For more detailed information on the Highland-Pigeon Watershed, please visit the USEPA’s National Assessment Database at www.epa.gov/waters/. Raw, untreated water flows into an intake structure located on the Ohio River. As the water enters the intake structure, it passes through screens that remove large debris. The untreated water is then pumped into the plant and sampled via an in-line gas chromatograph (the INFICON CMS- 5000), an instrument capable of detecting spills that range from petroleum based compounds to volatile organics. Aluminum polymer coagulants are added so suspended particles within the water bond together until they become large enough to settle out of the water. Caustic is added to control the pH of the water so that it is non-corrosive to plumbing. Fluoride is added to help protect our teeth. If necessary, carbon can be added to the water to remove various organic contaminants in the water and for taste and odor control. Chlorine, a strong disinfectant, is used to kill pathogens (disease causing organisms). After the water travels through the settling basins, it enters the dual media filter beds. Ammonia is added to form chloramines, providing adequate residual disinfection throughout the distribution system. The filters remove any remaining suspended solids and the filtered or finished water is then stored temporarily in our clear wells which are underground reservoirs. The last step is for the water to be pumped out of the clear wells and into the distribution system as needed to meet the demands of the customer. In 2020, the average daily demand was approximately 22.4 (MGD) million gallons of water.
WHAT IS IN MY DRINKING WATER?
The City of Evansville’s drinking water comes from the Ohio River. The Evansville filtration plant is located at Ohio River mile marker 791.5 in the Highland-Pigeon Watershed of the Ohio. All stream and urban runoff located within this watershed drains into the Ohio River. For more detailed information on the Highland-Pigeon Watershed, please visit the USEPA’s National Assessment Database at www.epa.gov/waters/. Raw, untreated water flows into an intake structure located on the Ohio River. As the water enters the intake structure, it passes through screens that remove large debris. The untreated water is then pumped into the plant and sampled via an in-line gas chromatograph (the INFICON CMS- 5000), an instrument capable of detecting spills that range from petroleum based compounds to volatile organics. Aluminum polymer coagulants are added so suspended particles within the water bond together until they become large enough to settle out of the water. Caustic is added to control the pH of the water so that it is non-corrosive to plumbing. Fluoride is added to help protect our teeth. If necessary, carbon can be added to the water to remove various organic contaminants in the water and for taste and odor control. Chlorine, a strong disinfectant, is used to kill pathogens (disease causing organisms). After the water travels through the settling basins, it enters the dual media filter beds. Ammonia is added to form chloramines, providing adequate residual disinfection throughout the distribution system. The filters remove any remaining suspended solids and the filtered or finished water is then stored temporarily in our clear wells which are underground reservoirs. The last step is for the water to be pumped out of the clear wells and into the distribution system as needed to meet the demands of the customer. In 2020, the average daily demand was approximately 22.4 (MGD) million gallons of water.
WHERE CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?
The City of Evansville’s drinking water comes from the Ohio River. The Evansville filtration plant is located at Ohio River mile marker 791.5 in the Highland-Pigeon Watershed of the Ohio. All stream and urban runoff located within this watershed drains into the Ohio River. For more detailed information on the Highland-Pigeon Watershed, please visit the USEPA’s National Assessment Database at www.epa.gov/waters/. Raw, untreated water flows into an intake structure located on the Ohio River. As the water enters the intake structure, it passes through screens that remove large debris. The untreated water is then pumped into the plant and sampled via an in-line gas chromatograph (the INFICON CMS- 5000), an instrument capable of detecting spills that range from petroleum based compounds to volatile organics. Aluminum polymer coagulants are added so suspended particles within the water bond together until they become large enough to settle out of the water. Caustic is added to control the pH of the water so that it is non-corrosive to plumbing. Fluoride is added to help protect our teeth. If necessary, carbon can be added to the water to remove various organic contaminants in the water and for taste and odor control. Chlorine, a strong disinfectant, is used to kill pathogens (disease causing organisms). After the water travels through the settling basins, it enters the dual media filter beds. Ammonia is added to form chloramines, providing adequate residual disinfection throughout the distribution system. The filters remove any remaining suspended solids and the filtered or finished water is then stored temporarily in our clear wells which are underground reservoirs. The last step is for the water to be pumped out of the clear wells and into the distribution system as needed to meet the demands of the customer. In 2020, the average daily demand was approximately 22.4 (MGD) million gallons of water.
WHERE DOES EVANSVILLE’S DRINKING WATER COME FROM?
The City of Evansville’s drinking water comes from the Ohio River. The Evansville filtration plant is located at Ohio River mile marker 791.5 in the Highland-Pigeon Watershed of the Ohio. All stream and urban runoff located within this watershed drains into the Ohio River. For more detailed information on the Highland-Pigeon Watershed, please visit the USEPA’s National Assessment Database at www.epa.gov/waters/. Raw, untreated water flows into an intake structure located on the Ohio River. As the water enters the intake structure, it passes through screens that remove large debris. The untreated water is then pumped into the plant and sampled via an in-line gas chromatograph (the INFICON CMS- 5000), an instrument capable of detecting spills that range from petroleum based compounds to volatile organics. Aluminum polymer coagulants are added so suspended particles within the water bond together until they become large enough to settle out of the water. Caustic is added to control the pH of the water so that it is non-corrosive to plumbing. Fluoride is added to help protect our teeth. If necessary, carbon can be added to the water to remove various organic contaminants in the water and for taste and odor control. Chlorine, a strong disinfectant, is used to kill pathogens (disease causing organisms). After the water travels through the settling basins, it enters the dual media filter beds. Ammonia is added to form chloramines, providing adequate residual disinfection throughout the distribution system. The filters remove any remaining suspended solids and the filtered or finished water is then stored temporarily in our clear wells which are underground reservoirs. The last step is for the water to be pumped out of the clear wells and into the distribution system as needed to meet the demands of the customer. In 2020, the average daily demand was approximately 22.4 (MGD) million gallons of water.
HOW DOES THE EVANSVILLE WATER DEPARTMENT TREAT YOUR DRINKING WATER?
Raw, untreated water flows into an intake structure located on the Ohio River. As the water enters the intake structure, it passes through screens that remove large debris. The untreated water is then pumped into the plant and sampled via an in-line gas chromatograph (the INFICON CMS- 5000), an instrument capable of detecting spills that range from petroleum based compounds to volatile organics. Aluminum polymer coagulants are added so suspended particles within the water bond together until they become large enough to settle out of the water. Caustic is added to control the pH of the water so that it is non-corrosive to plumbing. Fluoride is added to help protect our teeth. If necessary, carbon can be added to the water to remove various organic contaminants in the water and for taste and odor control. Chlorine, a strong disinfectant, is used to kill pathogens (disease causing organisms). After the water travels through the settling basins, it enters the dual media filter beds. Ammonia is added to form chloramines, providing adequate residual disinfection throughout the distribution system. The filters remove any remaining suspended solids and the filtered or finished water is then stored temporarily in our clear wells which are underground reservoirs. The last step is for the water to be pumped out of the clear wells and into the distribution system as needed to meet the demands of the customer. In 2020, the average daily demand was approximately 22.4 (MGD) million gallons of water.
WHAT IS IN MY DRINKING WATER?
Regulated Contaminants
HOW DO I CONTACT EVANSVILLE CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Evansville water provider, Evansville Water Utility, please use the information below.
By Mail: 2519 Vogel Road
EVANSVILLE, IN, 47711
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR EVANSVILLE WATER UTILITY
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their Evansville Water Utility account to pay their Evansville water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Evansville Water Utility bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Evansville water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Evansville water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP EVANSVILLE WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Evansville means you will often need to put the water in your name with Evansville Water Utility. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Evansville means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Evansville Water Utility. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

The estimated price of bottled water

$1.65 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Evansville tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 17% Very Low
  • Water Pollution 50% Moderate
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 83% Very High
  • Water Quality 50% Moderate

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Evansville, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Evansville Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Evansville's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

PWS ID: 5282002

2020 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report

The Evansville Water Department is a public utility owned and operated by the City of Evansville. More information can be found at www.evansvillegov.org under Departments/ Evansville Water & Sewer Utilities/ Notices & Information/ Quality Control/ Water Quality Report/ to the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).

Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua potable. Tradúzcalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

What is a Water Quality Report?

To comply with state and federal regulations, The Evansville Filtration Plant issues a report annually describing the quality of your drinking water. The purpose of this report is to raise your understanding of drinking water and the awareness of the need to protect your drinking water sources. If you have any questions about this report or your drinking water, please call 812-428-0568.

What’s in this report?

Answers to questions such as:

Where does my water come from?

How do we treat the water?

What is in my drinking water?

Where can I find additional information?

Where does Evansville’s drinking water come from?

The City of Evansville’s drinking water comes from the Ohio River. The Evansville filtration plant is located at Ohio River mile marker 791.5 in the Highland-Pigeon Watershed of the Ohio. All stream and urban runoff located within this watershed drains into the Ohio River. For more detailed information on the Highland-Pigeon Watershed, please visit the USEPA’s National Assessment Database at www.epa.gov/waters/.

  • The beginning of the Ohio River is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers converge.
  • The Ohio River is 981 miles long & borders six states including: Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois.
  • The Ohio ends in Cairo, Illinois where it flows into the Mississippi River.
  • Almost 10 percent of the U.S. population lives within the Ohio River Basin.

How does the Evansville Water Department treat your drinking water?

Raw, untreated water flows into an intake structure located on the Ohio River. As the water enters the intake structure, it passes through screens that remove large debris. The untreated water is then pumped into the plant and sampled via an in-line gas chromatograph (the INFICON CMS- 5000), an instrument capable of detecting spills that range from petroleum based compounds to volatile organics.

Aluminum polymer coagulants are added so suspended particles within the water bond together until they become large enough to settle out of the water. Caustic is added to control the pH of the water so that it is non-corrosive to plumbing. Fluoride is added to help protect our teeth. If necessary, carbon can be added to the water to remove various organic contaminants in the water and for taste and odor control. Chlorine, a strong disinfectant, is used to kill pathogens (disease causing organisms).

After the water travels through the settling basins, it enters the dual media filter beds. Ammonia is added to form chloramines, providing adequate residual disinfection throughout the distribution system. The filters remove any remaining suspended solids and the filtered or finished water is then stored temporarily in our clear wells which are underground reservoirs.

The last step is for the water to be pumped out of the clear wells and into the distribution system as needed to meet the demands of the customer. In 2020, the average daily demand was approximately 22.4 (MGD) million gallons of water.

Table Definitions

AL (Action Level) – The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.

MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) - The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MCLGs (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal) - The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level) & MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal) - The highest level of a

disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that the addition of a disinfectant is necessary for the control

Information about Lead in Your Drinking Water

of microbial contaminants.

 

BDL Below Detectable Limit

N/A Not Applicable

NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) - The standard measurement of turbidity

ppb (parts per billion)

 

1 microgram in 1 liter

Approximately 1 drop in 10,000 gallons

ppm (parts per million)

 

1 milligram in 1 liter

Approximately 1 drop in 10 gallons

pCi/L (picocuries per liter) - Measurement of the natural rate of disintegration

TTHMs (Total Trihalomethanes) - Disinfection by-product of chlorination

  1. (Treatment Technique) - A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in water

Substances Expected to be in Drinking Water

To insure that tap water is safe to drink, USEPA prescribes regulations limiting the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the

EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

The sources of drinking water, (both tap and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife are commonly found in surface water sources.

Pesticides and herbicides, also come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, stormwater runoff, and residential uses. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming wastes also are found in source water. Radioactive materials, can be naturally occurring or the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

Information about Lead in Your Drinking Water

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The Evansville Water and Sewer Utility is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in private residence plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Beginning January, 2002, our water system was required to constantly monitor effluents from all filter beds using in-line Turbidimeters.

Water Hardness (Ca, Mg) – Evansville Water’s Average Total Hardness concentration for 2020 was 119 ppm (7.0 gr/gal).

What is in my drinking water?

Regulated Contaminants

 

Substance (unit)

 

 

Year

 

 

MCL

 

 

MCLG

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Range

 

 

Violation

 

 

Source

 

 

 

 

Tested

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detected

 

 

(low-high)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Atrazine (ppb)

2020

 

3

 

3

 

 

0.2

 

 

0.0 - 0.2

 

 

No

 

Herbicide Runoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of

 

Barium (ppm)

2020

 

2

 

2

 

 

 

BDL

 

BDL

 

No

 

natural deposits,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

discharge of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

drilling wastes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chemical

 

Fluoride (ppm)

2020

 

4

 

4

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

 

 

No

 

addition for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.42 -- 0.94

 

 

 

improving dental

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

health

 

Haloacetic Acids

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By-product of

 

(HAAs) (ppb)

2020

 

60

 

 

NA

 

 

20.45 -- 40.45

 

 

No

 

drinking water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Running Annual Avg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

chlorination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Runoff from

 

Nitrate (ppm)

2020

 

10

 

10

 

 

1.12

 

 

1.10-3.4

 

 

No

 

fertilizer use,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

septic tanks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TTHM's (ppb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By-product of

 

2020

 

80

 

 

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No

 

drinking water

 

Running Annual Avg

 

 

 

42.52

 

 

21.68 – 63.56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

chlorination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corrosion of

 

Lead (ppb)1

2018

 

 

AL=15

0

 

 

90 % = 1

 

 

< 1 - 1

 

 

No

 

household

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

plumbing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

90 % =

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corrosion of

 

Copper (ppm)2

2018

 

 

AL=1.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

< 0.025-0.078

 

 

No

 

household

 

 

 

<1.3

 

 

0.025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

plumbing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Coliform

 

 

 

 

5% or 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Naturally present

 

Bacteria3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.001%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

Positive

 

NA

0.0%

 

 

 

 

No

 

in the

 

(presence /

 

 

 

 

 

Range

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual

 

 

 

 

 

Annual

 

 

 

 

 

 

environment3

 

Absence)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turbidity (NTU)4

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

NTU -

 

NA

0.03

 

 

0.02-0.06

 

 

No

 

Soil Runoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TT5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disinfectant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Substance (unit)

 

 

Year

 

 

MRDL

 

 

MRDLG

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Range

 

 

Violation

 

 

Source

 

 

 

 

Tested

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detected

 

 

(low-high)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residual

 

Chlorine/chloramines

2020

 

4

 

4

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

 

 

No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4 -- 3.3

 

 

 

Disinfection

 

(ppm)6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Organic Carbon (TOC)7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Substance (unit)

 

 

Year

 

 

MRDL

 

 

MRDLG

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Range

 

 

Violation

 

 

Source

 

 

 

 

Tested

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detected

 

 

(low-high)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOC River (ppm)

2020

 

 

TT

 

NA

3.48

 

 

2.3--5.2

 

 

No

 

See Below

 

TOC Plant (ppm)

2020

 

 

TT

 

NA

1.94

 

 

1.0—2.8

 

No

 

See Below

 

Unregulated Contaminants8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amoun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Substance (unit)

 

 

Year

 

 

t

 

 

Strontium (ppb)

 

 

 

 

1,4 Dioxane

0.07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tested

 

 

Detect

 

 

100

 

 

 

 

Unregulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nickel (ppb)

2020

 

 

BDL

 

Molybdenum(ppb)

 

 

 

 

Chromium

 

BDL

 

UCMR3

 

 

 

 

 

BDL

 

 

contaminants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chromium VI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium(ppm)

2020

 

16.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cobalt

 

BDL

 

were reported

 

 

 

 

(ppb)

0.02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sulfate (ppm)

2020

 

38.0

 

 

Vanadium (ppb)

 

BDL

MTBE

 

BDL

 

Units (ppb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Radioactive contaminants – 0.0 % Gross Alpha – footnote 9

  1. Samples are collected annually and in 60 homes throughout the city every third year (last 2018). No samples were over the action level for lead. All 60 samples are listed from lowest to highest. The 90th percentile result means 90% of results are below the # (simply another way of saying that 9% scored above and 90% scored below (the other 1% being the number 90)). So out of the 60 sample results the 90% result is the 54th highest out of the 60 sample results.
  2. Samples are collected annually and in 60 homes throughout the city every third year (last 2018). No samples were over the action level for Cu.
  3. A group of relatively harmless bacteria that live in large numbers in the intestines of man and animals. Their presence is an indicator of possible contamination from human or animal waste. On average 122 samples were collected throughout the city each month and tested for the presence or absence of total coliform bacteria. Only 2 samples out of 1460 tested positive for the year and the follow up samples were negative.
    4Turbidity is the measure of the cloudiness of the water. It is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system. Combined effluent turbidity is measured every four hours. Combined effluent turbidity must be <0.3 NTU in 95% of monthly measurements. All water was completely within the required limits.
    5Treatment Technique (TT): A required filtration process intended to reduce the level of turbidity and contaminants in drinking water.
  1. 6Total chlorine includes chloramines. Chloramines have the same effect as chlorine for typical water uses and both must be removed from water used in kidney dialysis and fish tanks or aquariums. Please contact your doctor regarding kidney dialysis. You may contact your pet store or the Evansville Filtration Plant regarding fish or other aquatic life.
  1. A composite measurement of organic constituents. It is used to track the overall organic content of the water. This is an important measure for surface waters, such as the Ohio River, because it correlates with the production of disinfection by-products during chlorination. Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
  2. Analysis of contaminants that the EPA is using for determination of future regulations
    We are pleased to report that during the past year the water delivered to your home or business complied with, or was better than, all state and federal drinking water standards. The EPA has established pollutant- specific minimum testing schedules; however, we monitor many contaminants on a daily basis. These include total chlorine, TTHM’s, TOC’s, nitrate, fluoride, and total coliform bacteria. Atrazine is monitored daily during the spring and summer planting & growing months. Turbidity is monitored continuously and recorded every five minutes around the clock.

9 -2019 Gross Alpha Highest 0.82 pc/L

Radium 228 Avg <0.56 range 0 – 0 pC/L BDL

All Quarterly samples of Synthetic Organic Contaminants (SOC’s) & Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) for 4 quarters show Below Detectable Limit (BDL) results with exception of Atrazine: see table above

  • 2-4-D: Highest level = 0.2ppb

BDL = below detectable limits

Evansville Water & Sewer Utility

Water Filtration Plant

1301 Waterworks Road

Evansville, IN 47713

Special Health Information

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons, such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the

Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Additional Resources

The USEPA Office of Water (http://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water), the USEPA Office of Ground

Water and Drinking Water (epa.gov/safewater), and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) websites provide a substantial amount of information on many issues relating to water resources, water conservation, and public health.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management also has a website (www.in.gov/idem) that provides complete

and current information on water issues in our own state.

The Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) (www.orsanco.org), located in Cincinnati, OH, is a wealth of information on the Ohio River and its conditions.

About This Report

This report contains the results of contaminants detected as well as testing parameters. For a complete listing of all monitored contaminants and results, please send a request to Drinking Water Quality Manager thall@ewsu.com or call

(812) 428-0568.

Need Additional Help?

For 24 hour service (reporting broken water mains call (812) 421-2130). For Boil Advisory status information-check City website – (www.Evansville.in.gov) - under Water & Sewer Utility – Boil Advisory.

Questions or Comments?

If you have any questions or comments regarding Evansville’s Water System, you can reach the Drinking Water Quality Manager (Timothy Hall R.E.M.) at (812) 428-0568. You are also welcome to attend any Evansville Water and Sewer Utility Board meetings which are held every two weeks on Tuesday afternoons usually at 3:00 pm (call Civic Center for exact times – they vary) in Room 307 of the Civic Center located at 1 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Evansville, IN 47708.

Contaminants


Evansville Water Utility

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 173000
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Surface water
  • Total: 14

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Nitrate
  • Nitrate and nitrite
  • Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Other Detected Contaminants

  • 1%2C4-Dioxane
  • 2%2C4-D
  • Atrazine
  • Chlorate
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Molybdenum
  • Strontium
  • Vanadium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

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