Quick answer: Indianapolis's water is supplied by Citizens Water (Citizens Energy Group) and has a hardness level of Hard. The primary contaminant of concern is atrazine. All fish samples tested positive for PFOS. Agricultural chemicals including atrazine detected from runoff. For the best protection, I recommend the AquaTru reverse osmosis system ($475) or the Clearly Filtered pitcher ($90) as a budget pick.
What's in Indianapolis's Water?
Indianapolis's drinking water comes from Citizens Water (Citizens Energy Group), which serves the metro area's 2,100,000 residents. While the utility meets most federal EPA standards, meeting the minimum legal requirement doesn't always mean the water is as clean as you'd want for your family.
Here are the known contaminants and concerns for Indianapolis's water supply:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Water Utility | Citizens Water (Citizens Energy Group) |
| Key Contaminant | atrazine |
| Water Hardness | Hard |
| Known Issues | atrazine, agricultural runoff, PFAS in waterways, disinfection byproducts |
| EPA Status | All fish samples tested positive for PFOS. Agricultural chemicals including atrazine detected from runoff. |
Why atrazine Matters
Atrazine is a widely used herbicide that acts as an endocrine disruptor. It is linked to hormonal imbalances, reproductive problems, and increased cancer risk. The EPA limit is 3 ppb, but health experts recommend much lower.
This is especially important for families with young children, pregnant women, or anyone with a compromised immune system. Children absorb contaminants at higher rates than adults, and their developing bodies are more vulnerable to the effects.
Check Your Specific Address
Water quality can vary within Indianapolis depending on which part of the distribution system serves your home, the age of your pipes, and whether you have lead service lines. I recommend two steps:
- Use our free Water Quality Lookup tool - Enter your ZIP code here to check EPA violation records for your specific area.
- Test your tap water - A home water test kit like Tap Score ($150-200) will tell you exactly what's in the water coming out of your faucet, which can be different from what the utility reports.
Best Water Filters for Indianapolis
Based on Indianapolis's specific contaminant profile, here's what I recommend:
Top Pick: AquaTru Countertop RO
The AquaTru is a countertop reverse osmosis system that removes 84 contaminants including atrazine, lead, PFAS, fluoride, and microplastics. No plumbing required.
- NSF/ANSI certified
- Removes 99.9% of PFAS
- Countertop - no installation
- $475 (filters last 6-12 months)
Budget Pick: Clearly Filtered Pitcher
The Clearly Filtered pitcher removes 365+ contaminants including atrazine and PFAS. It's the best pitcher filter I've tested.
- WQA certified for PFAS removal
- Removes 99.7% of PFAS
- No installation needed
- $90 (replacement filters ~$30 every 4 months)
Frequently Asked Questions
Indianapolis's water is supplied by Citizens Water (Citizens Energy Group). All fish samples tested positive for PFOS. Agricultural chemicals including atrazine detected from runoff. While it may meet EPA minimum standards, those standards don't cover all contaminants of concern. For families with young children, I recommend using a certified water filter as an extra layer of protection.
Known contaminants in Indianapolis's water include atrazine, agricultural runoff, PFAS in waterways, disinfection byproducts. The most significant concern is atrazine. You can check your specific area using our Water Quality Lookup tool.
Based on Indianapolis's contaminant profile, I recommend an activated carbon filter or reverse osmosis system (like AquaTru). My top pick is the AquaTru ($475) for comprehensive protection, or the Clearly Filtered pitcher ($90) for a budget option.
Indianapolis's water is classified as hard. Hard water can cause mineral buildup on fixtures, dry out skin and hair, and reduce soap effectiveness.