Tippecanoe County, Indiana: drinking water report. Tippecanoe County in west-central Indiana has a population of about 195,000, home to Purdue University
Tippecanoe County in west-central Indiana has a population of about 195,000, home to Purdue University in West Lafayette and the city of Lafayette. Indiana American Water serves the area, drawing from wells along the Wabash River corridor. The Wabash River itself drains a vast agricultural watershed covering much of central Indiana, and the alluvial wells that tap the river corridor are influenced by both the river's quality and the overlying land use.
Atrazine and nitrate from the surrounding corn and soybean farms are the primary contaminants of concern. According to the USGS National Water Quality Assessment, the Wabash River consistently ranks among the top rivers in the country for atrazine loading during spring planting season. Indiana American Water's treatment process reduces these to compliant levels, but the raw water carries concentrations that peak sharply during April and May runoff events.
The EPA's UCMR5 data shows PFAS detections in the Lafayette system. The Purdue University Airport has used AFFF firefighting foam, and the university's research operations may contribute trace PFAS through wastewater. A 2024 IDEM assessment found one public water system in the county with PFAS above Indiana's advisory level.
Spring is when agricultural contaminant levels peak in Tippecanoe County. If you notice taste or odor changes in your water during April through June, it likely reflects the treatment system working harder to handle elevated herbicide and nutrient loads.
Check your water for current monitoring data. For agricultural herbicides and disinfection byproducts, an activated carbon filter is effective. For PFAS, upgrade to reverse osmosis. Our water filter guide explains which certifications to look for. Pull your detailed report for seasonal trends, and visit our Indiana page for statewide context.