What the East Chicago records show
- Water quality and PFAS
- 1 candidate water system shown.Source date: Violations as of Q1 2026
- Air quality and emissions
- 3 monitoring records shown. Observation year: 2025.Source date: AQS data as of 2026
- Land and cleanup records
- 3 Superfund records shown; 3 brownfield records shown.
- Infrastructure and incidents
- 3 pipeline incident records shown; 3 RMP facility records shown (earlier stored inventory, current location coverage unverified).Source date: PHMSA data as of Q1 2026
Water quality in East Chicago
Check your water bill for your utility name and confirm the reporting year. See EPA’s guide to finding your annual water quality report.
Drinking Water Compliance
Drinking Water Compliance
Public water-system records for East Chicago, IN from EPA SDWIS.
East Chicago Water Works
Active monitoring or reporting issue detected in EPA SDWIS.
Reviewed: active/open records as of Q1 2026
City listed in EPA records · Serves 26,370 people
Data from EPA SDWIS
Reviewed: source records as of Q1 2026
EPA UCMR5 — No PFAS detection records shown for these water systems
Open data source: EPA UCMR5DoD PFAS — No investigation records shown for this report
Open data source: DoD PFASImpaired Water Bodies
1
Impaired Water Bodies
EPA ATTAINS records identify assessed water bodies that do not meet water-quality standards for designated uses.
Calumet River-Frontal Lake Michigan
Reported: Nov 2026
Health-relevant causes: Mercury, Pathogens, Pesticides, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (pcbs)
Affected uses: Ecological, Fishconsumption, Other, Recreation
Data from EPA ATTAINS
Discharge Permits (NPDES)
3
Discharge Permits (NPDES)
NPDES permits regulate pollutant discharges into U.S. waterways. Facilities must report compliance quarterly.
Violation records
Last inspected: Dec 2025
Last inspected: Dec 2025
Last inspected: Dec 2025
Data from EPA ECHO
To investigate water contamination, check the sampling locations, dates and results below. For tap water records, see Drinking water quality above.
Reviewed: source records as of 2026
Air quality and emissions in East Chicago
Review historical EPA air pollution records, including monitoring and facility emissions where available. For current conditions, check local air quality on AirNow.
EPA AirToxScreen — Estimated Cancer Risk
EPA AirToxScreen — Estimated Cancer Risk
Lake County
Assessment year: 2020
According to EPA, a cancer risk of 30-in-1-million means that for every 1 million people continuously exposed to these air toxics over a 70-year lifetime, an estimated 30 may develop cancer from that exposure. This is in addition to cancer risk from all other causes.
Top modeled source groups
Data from EPA AirToxScreen
Nonattainment Status
1
Nonattainment Status
EPA designations apply to a specific pollutant and federal air quality standard (NAAQS). EPA can issue a clean-data determination while a formal designation remains in effect.
Chicago: Ozone
NonattainmentSerious8-Hour Ozone (2015 Standard)
Health effects (EPA): Respiratory inflammation, aggravation of asthma, reduced lung function (EPA)
Maintenance areas
Previously nonattainment; currently meeting the standard and monitored under an EPA maintenance plan.
Chicago-Naperville
Ozone · 8-Hour Ozone (2008 Standard)
Classification: Serious
Original designation: Jul 2012
Current design value: 0.079 ppm (2023-2025)
Lake County; Cities of East Chicago, Hammond, Whiting, and Gary
PM10 · PM-10 (1987 Standard)
Classification: Moderate
Original designation: Nov 1990
Data from EPA Green Book
Air Quality Monitoring (AQS)
Air Quality Monitoring (AQS)
EPA annual monitor summaries describe past measurements. For current air quality, see AirNow.
Arcelormittal-Burns Harbor Site 1 — Portage, Indiana
Annual mean: 6.1 Parts per billion
EPA primary exceedance count: 3 (SO2 1-hour 2010)
Observation year: 2025
Com Ed Maintenance Bldg — Chicago, Illinois
Annual mean: 2.5 Parts per billion
EPA primary exceedance count: 1 (SO2 1-hour 2010)
Observation year: 2025
Annual mean: 27.9 Parts per billion
Observation year: 2025
Data from EPA AQS
Air Quality Violations or Noncompliance
1
Air Quality Violations or Noncompliance
Facilities regulated under the Clean Air Act. CAA HPV flags indicate serious noncompliance such as exceeding emission limits.
Air Violations
Last inspected: Dec 2025
Data from EPA ECHO
Reported Air Emissions (TRI)
35
Reported Air Emissions (TRI)
TRI releases are self-reported annual totals (calendar year 2024). Hover fugitive or stack for definitions.
Bp Products Na Whiting Business Unit
Reported: 2024
Carmeuse Lime Inc Buffington
Reported: 2024
Land cleanup and hazardous waste records in East Chicago
Superfund Sites
3
Superfund Sites
EPA records for current, proposed and formerly listed Superfund sites on the National Priorities List (NPL).
Open data source: Search EPA ECHOEPA FRS Registry ID 110001129859
Reported: Oct 2023
EPA FRS Registry ID 110000613104
Reported: Nov 2021
EPA FRS Registry ID 110009284489
Reported: Nov 2021
Brownfield Sites
1
Brownfield Sites
Brownfield sites are properties where redevelopment is complicated by the presence of hazardous substances.
Open data source: Search EPA ECHO1 site with active cleanup or investigation status
2106 East Columbus Drive, East Chicago
Reported: Feb 2026
Hazardous Waste — RCRA Handlers
3
Hazardous Waste — RCRA Handlers
Facilities with hazardous-waste handler records under RCRA in the reviewed 5-mile city-center search area. Active handler status is separate from air, water, or other ECHO compliance violations, which are shown in their own sections.
Active RCRA handler records in the reviewed city search area
Underground Storage Tanks
1
Underground Storage Tanks
Release reports
Reported: Dec 2021
Data from EPA UST Finder
Reviewed: reporting year 2024
Formerly Used Defense Sites
3
Formerly Used Defense Sites
Formerly Used Defense Sites are properties previously owned by, leased to, or otherwise possessed by the United States and under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Defense. The FUDS program addresses environmental restoration at these properties.
Open data source: USACE FUDSMSHA Mine and Extraction Sites
MSHA Mine and Extraction Sites
No MSHA mine or extraction site records shown for this report.
County radon potential
1
County radon potential
Lake County, IN
EPA Radon Zone Map (June 2024 release)
Lake County is EPA Radon Zone 2 (moderate potential). EPA defines Zone 2 counties as having predicted average indoor screening levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L.
Radon levels can vary from home to home, so EPA recommends testing the property to know its indoor level.
Infrastructure, incidents, and community health in East Chicago
FEMA Flood Zones
FEMA Flood Zones
FEMA flood zones describe mapped flood hazards. Look up a specific address with FEMA.
No FEMA flood-zone records shown for this report.
EPA Risk Management Program Records
EPA Risk Management Program Records
Results use an earlier stored RMP inventory. Current EPA ECHO location coverage is unverified.
EPA ECHO lists facilities linked to the Risk Management Program. Results include facilities with locations that can be matched. Records may be historical. Current operations, chemical inventories, and recent accident history are unverified.
Pipeline Incidents
1
Pipeline Incidents
PHMSA tracks incidents involving natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. Incidents include leaks, ruptures, and explosions.
Recent Incidents (last 5 years)
AMOCO OIL CO
Incident date: Sep 27, 2025
- Type
- Hazardous Liquid
- Cause
- CORROSION FAILURE
- Released
- REFINED AND/OR PETROLEUM PRODUCT (NON-HVL) WHICH IS A LIQUID AT AMBIENT CONDITIONS
Property damage: $850,000
Data from PHMSA
Community Health Indicators
Community Health Indicators
Health outcomes from County Health Rankings. Values shown alongside state and national averages.
Lake County, IndianaPop. 499,689
County Health Rankings edition: 2024
Premature Death
- County
- 10,591
- State
- 9,317
- National
- 7,972
Poor or Fair Health
- County
- 17.4%
- State
- 16.1%
- National
- 14.2%
Poor Physical Health Days
- County
- 3.8
- State
- 3.5
- National
- 3.3
Poor Mental Health Days
- County
- 5.4
- State
- 5.2
- National
- 4.8
Adult Smoking
- County
- 18.7%
- State
- 18.0%
- National
- 15.0%
Adult Obesity
- County
- 41.1%
- State
- 36.7%
- National
- 34.0%
Air Pollution - Particulate Matter
- County
- 10.3
- State
- 8.8
- National
- 7.3
Drinking water violation indicator
- County
- Yes
- State
- N/A
- National
- N/A
Diabetes Prevalence
- County
- 12.0%
- State
- 10.8%
- National
- 9.6%
Life Expectancy
- County
- 74.7
- State
- 75.6
- National
- 77.6
| Indicator | County | State | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premature Death | 10,591 | 9,317 | 7,972 |
| Poor or Fair Health | 17.4% | 16.1% | 14.2% |
| Poor Physical Health Days | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.3 |
| Poor Mental Health Days | 5.4 | 5.2 | 4.8 |
| Adult Smoking | 18.7% | 18.0% | 15.0% |
| Adult Obesity | 41.1% | 36.7% | 34.0% |
| Air Pollution - Particulate Matter | 10.3 | 8.8 | 7.3 |
| Drinking water violation indicator | Yes | N/A | N/A |
| Diabetes Prevalence | 12.0% | 10.8% | 9.6% |
| Life Expectancy | 74.7 | 75.6 | 77.6 |
Environmental questions about East Chicago, Indiana
Has PFAS been found in the water in East Chicago, Indiana?
This report does not have PFAS sample results for the candidate water systems in East Chicago.
Check with the utility that serves your address for its testing results.
What do EPA records say about tap water in East Chicago, Indiana?
EPA drinking water records on this page list 9 violations for East Chicago Water Works.
Check your water bill to identify the utility serving your address. Ask that utility about current drinking water advisories.
What do annual air monitors show near East Chicago, Indiana?
Nearby EPA monitoring stations provide annual air quality measurements for East Chicago.
The monitoring station at ArcelorMittal-Burns Harbor Site 1, Portage, Indiana recorded an annual average of 6.1 Parts per billion for sulfur dioxide in 2025.
The monitoring station at Com Ed Maintenance Bldg, Chicago, Illinois recorded an annual average of 2.5 Parts per billion for sulfur dioxide in 2025.
The monitoring station at Com Ed Maintenance Bldg, Chicago, Illinois recorded an annual average of 27.9 Parts per billion for nitrogen dioxide in 2025.
Download 2025 EPA annual monitor dataCurrent air quality on AirNow
Is there radon in East Chicago, Indiana?
The radon data for East Chicago covers Lake County. EPA places this area in Zone 2, with a predicted average indoor radon screening level of 2 to 4 picocuries per liter.
Are there Superfund or brownfield sites near East Chicago, Indiana?
This city report shows 3 Superfund sites: Federated Metals Corp; Gary Development Landfill; U.S. Smelter and Lead Refinery, Inc..
This city report shows 3 brownfield sites: 2100 2106 East Columbus Drive; 4016 Main; 4400 Homerlee.
View on EPA ECHOView on EPA ECHOView on EPA ECHOView on EPA ECHOView on EPA ECHOView on EPA ECHO
What is the life expectancy in East Chicago, Indiana?
The county data for East Chicago reports a life expectancy of 74.7 years in Lake County, Indiana.
The figure is from the 2024 edition of County Health Rankings, a University of Wisconsin program that publishes county health statistics.
What does the data say about premature deaths in East Chicago, Indiana?
The county data for East Chicago reports 10,591 years of life lost to deaths before age 75 per 100,000 residents in Lake County, Indiana. This measure adds up the years lost to early deaths and adjusts for differences in population age.
The figure is from the 2024 edition of County Health Rankings, a University of Wisconsin program that publishes county health statistics.
Is there air pollution in East Chicago, Indiana?
The county data for East Chicago lists fine-particle pollution (PM2.5) at 10.3 micrograms per cubic meter in Lake County, Indiana.
The figure is from the 2024 edition of County Health Rankings, a University of Wisconsin program that publishes county health statistics.
What environmental incidents are recorded near East Chicago, Indiana?
Federal pipeline records list an incident involving Amoco Oil Co near East Chicago on Sep 27, 2025. The reported release was a liquid petroleum product.
Federal pipeline records list an incident involving Bp Pipeline (North America) Inc. near East Chicago on Sep 22, 2015. The reported release was crude oil.
Federal pipeline records list an incident involving Buckeye Partners, LP near East Chicago on Sep 26, 2012. The reported release was a liquid petroleum product.