South Bend
South Bend, IN water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
south bend water works
groundwater (wells) · local government · PWSID IN5271014
Below EPA's 15 ppb lead action level at last testing.
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · 2026 Q1
With about 101,516 residents, South Bend ranks as the 4th-largest city in Indiana and a mid-sized city. Water in South Bend 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, South Bend faces no meaningful drought conditions.
The Indiana state profile covers the regional supply outlook; the issues below detail what's driving South Bend's water future.
St. Joseph County water quality
Source: EPA SDWIS · 2026 Q1
At a glance
- Population ~101,516 (4th-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 South Bend?
South Bend's largest water system, SOUTH BEND WATER WORKS, serves about 115,000 people. EPA records show 0 health-based violation(s) since 2016 and a most-recent 90th-percentile lead level of 4.7 ppb (EPA action level is 15 ppb). Always check your own provider's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
Where does South Bend get its water?
SOUTH BEND WATER WORKS draws primarily from groundwater (wells), part of Indiana's supply from 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.
Explore