Vincennes Water Department

Is our water safe for consumption? This report provides a snapshot of the water quality we delivered last year. Inside you'll find details about our water source, what it contains, and how it compares to EPA and Indiana standards.

We're committed to providing transparent information about your water quality. Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. Those with compromised immune systems—such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, elderly individuals, and infants—should seek advice from healthcare providers about their drinking water. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing infection risk from Cryptosporidium and other microbes are available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

The City of Vincennes draws water from seven wells located approximately half a mile southwest of the city near the Wabash River. Our treatment process includes adding chlorine, fluoride, and phosphate to control iron and manganese. The original wells were installed around 1950 when our water facility relocated from Martin Street to the current South River Road location.

All drinking water, including bottled varieties, naturally contains some level of contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects is available through the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activity. Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage treatment, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals) that occur naturally or result from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organics from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, stormwater runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from oil/gas production and mining

The EPA sets regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems to ensure safety, while the FDA establishes similar standards for bottled water. According to our Source Water Assessment, our system has been categorized as having a high susceptibility risk. For more information, contact our office at 812-882-7877.

Our water system collaborates with local authorities to improve waste disposal practices and protect our water sources. We also work with various agencies and watershed groups to educate the community about keeping our water safe.

The Vincennes Water Utilities is managed by L. Kirk Bouchie and governed by the Vincennes Utilities Services Board, which meets on the third Wednesday monthly at 4:00 p.m. at the Vincennes Sewage Plant Conference Room (301 Perdue Road).

Please share this information with others. Large volume water customers (apartment complexes, hospitals, schools, industries) are encouraged to post additional copies or distribute them to tenants, residents, patients, students, and employees as a good faith effort to inform non-billed consumers about their water quality.

1. Do you allow schools to tour the facility? Yes. We welcome students to learn about our operations and water treatment processes. School officials and teachers can schedule a tour by calling our main office at (860) 963-6584. All visitors must complete a Waiver of Liability before touring and must follow all safety guidelines and procedures.
2. Why do water facilities need to use certain treatment processes? To provide quality water for roads, bridges, and utility infrastructure, significant water treatment is required. Our processes prepare water that can't be safely used in its natural state. These treatments break down contaminants into manageable components that can then be properly filtered and treated.
3. How can residents receive notifications about water quality issues? Vincennes Water Department posts updates on their Facebook page up to a week before scheduled maintenance. On days when work is planned, both the Facebook page is updated and the Town Manager and Police Department are notified. Residents can join our call list for two-hour advance notice by contacting us at 860-481-7158.
4. Why might I feel vibrations during municipal work? Energy from maintenance work sometimes travels through ground as airwaves, which may cause homes to vibrate slightly. Humans are extremely sensitive to vibrations and can detect movement even when no structural damage is occurring.
5. How does the water utility protect residential properties? Vincennes contracts with certified professionals who undergo mandatory training and licensing. These specialists plan, design, implement and monitor all aspects of water delivery with safety as the top priority. Before any major work, our contractors conduct pre-work inspections to assess site conditions and monitor operations to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
6. What are safe vibration standards for maintenance near homes? North American standards are based on scientific studies by the U.S. Bureau of Mines. These guidelines establish limits based on distance, velocity, pressure and frequency to prevent even cosmetic damage to structures. For ground vibrations, Indiana regulations permit particle velocity measurements that maintain structural integrity.
7. Can routine maintenance damage my home's foundation? The foundation is typically the strongest part of a house. Safety standards are designed to protect even the most vulnerable components, like plaster and drywall. Research from the U.S. Bureau of Mines (published as RI 8507 in 1987) concluded that normal household activities like door slamming create more structural strain than standard municipal operations.
8. Will water system maintenance affect underground structures like wells or septic tanks? Below-ground structures are already secured within the earth and can only move as much as the surrounding soil allows. They typically respond less to ground movement than above-ground structures, making them even more protected by existing safety standards.
9. How might water system work affect pets? Pets may be startled by operational sounds or warning signals, but like humans, animals routinely experience various environmental vibrations and sounds without lasting effects.
10. What regulations govern water quality maintenance? Vincennes follows both federal EPA guidelines and Indiana state regulations for all water quality and delivery operations.