Gary
Gary, IN water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
With about 77,156 residents, Gary ranks as the 8th-largest city in Indiana and a small but growing city. Water in Gary is sourced chiefly from Ohio River, Wabash River, and glacial aquifers, the backbone of Indiana's supply.
The defining water pressure here mirrors the state's: aging infrastructure. Generally adequate supply with localized concerns around industrial use and infrastructure age.
Statewide, Indiana recycles about 4% of its wastewater with minimal reuse programs. Locally, Gary faces no meaningful drought conditions.
The Indiana state profile covers the regional supply outlook; the issues below detail what's driving Gary's water future.
At a glance
- Population ~77,156 (8th-largest in Indiana)
- Primary sources: Ohio River, Wabash River, and glacial aquifers
- Drought: no meaningful conditions
- State reuse rate: ~4% of wastewater
Common questions
Is tap water safe in Gary?
Gary is served by community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Statewide, 26.3% of Indiana's systems have a recent health-based violation. Check your provider's annual Consumer Confidence Report for local results.
Where does Gary get its water?
Gary draws from the same regional sources that serve Indiana: Ohio River, Wabash River, glacial aquifers.
Related water issues
Aging Infrastructure
Much of America's water infrastructure is decades past its design life, leaking trillions of gallons a year and demanding hundreds of billions in reinvestment.
ExploreAgricultural Demand
Agriculture accounts for the majority of consumptive water use in the West, making farm efficiency and water markets central to any supply solution.
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