Water Quality: Bloomington, IN
10 water systems • 105,850 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Bloomington is served by 10 public water systems with a combined service population of 105,850 people, and has 272 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 122 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Bloomington's violation count is 530% above the national average for Indiana. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine, Chlorine Dioxide, Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, TTHM.
Contaminants Found
Eye and nose irritation at high levels; long-term exposure above the MCL may cause liver and kidney damage.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant added to kill harmful microorganisms
EPA limit: 4.0 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level)
Can cause anemia in infants and young children; may cause nervous system effects at high levels.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant used to control taste, odor, and microorganisms
EPA limit: 0.8 mg/L
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water
EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Bloomington
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF BLOOMINGTON UTILITIES | IN5253002 | Surface Water | 83,000 | 8 |
| VAN BUREN WATER, INC. | IN5253008 | Surface Water | 6,670 | 11 |
| B&B WATER PROJECT, INC. | IN5253001 | Surface Water | 4,695 | 1 |
| WASHINGTON TWP WATER AUTHORITY | IN5253009 | Surface Water | 3,825 | 2 |
| EAST MONROE WATER CORPORATION | IN5253003 | Surface Water | 3,648 | 13 |
| OOLITIC WATER WORKS | IN5247005 | Surface Water | 1,315 | 85 |
| SWITZ CITY WATER WORKS | IN5228009 | Groundwater | 888 | 49 |
| RHS WATER CORPORATION | IN5253015 | Surface Water | 870 | 8 |
| GOSPORT WATER UTILITY | IN5260003 | Groundwater | 849 | 9 |
| SALT CREEK SERVICES, INC. | IN5253006 | Surface Water | 90 | 86 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Indiana
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.