Elkhart, IN

High Risk (91/100)

Transparent derived index from EPA TRI / SDWIS / Superfund extracts: not an official EPA rating. Fixed caps: facilities ≤25 pts (50+ = max), log10 releases ≤25 pts, Superfund ≤25 pts (5/site), health-violation systems ≤15 pts (3/system), high-chemical facilities ≤10 pts. Bands: High ≥60, Moderate ≥30. See methodology. This is a different measure than the EJ Screening score for this county, which ranks it by percentile against other tracked counties rather than against these fixed caps.

Environmental data for Elkhart in Indiana · Population: 206,868

TRI sites such as Entech Inc; Better Way Products; Franklin-Bay LLC; SDWIS systems such as ELKHART PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES; GOSHEN WATER UTILITY; NAPPANEE WATER UTILITY; NPL sites such as Conrail Rail Yard (Elkhart); Himco Dump; Lane Street Ground Water Contamination anchor Elkhart, IN's EPA extract. Derived burden score 91/100 (High Risk) uses fixed national caps on density, log release volume, Superfund count, and health-flagged systems - not an official EPA rating.

Health-flagged SDWIS rows in Elkhart include MIDDLEBURY WATER DEPARTMENT; WAKARUSA WATER WORKS; BRISTOL MOBILE VILLAGE, while Entech Inc leads reported TRI pounds among local Form R filers. AQS median AQI 45 / peak 145 in 2024.

Burden score 91/100 (High Risk) is the only weighted composite on this page. The tables below list every TRI facility, SDWIS system, and Superfund site EPA has on record for Elkhart -- not just the names called out above -- reproducing the disclosure history as filed, not a current-safety verdict. Extract current as of 2026-08-25.

Release-over-release change

What changed for Elkhart, IN: EPA TRI 2023 reporting year

2022 → 2023

Same facilities, both years

-46.5%

94 facilities that filed in 2022 and 2023

Whole inventory

-46.5%

4.2 million lb → 2.2 million lb, every facility that filed

Between the two reporting years, 2 facilities filed for the first time and 6 stopped filing. Facilities entering or leaving the inventory are excluded from the same-facility comparison above.

  • Elkhart, IN's total reported releases fell from 4.2 million lb in 2022 to 2.2 million lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • Elkhart, IN's water releases rose from 1 lb in 2022 to 14 lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • Elkhart, IN's off-site transfers fell from 2.1 million lb in 2022 to 894.3 thousand lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • Elkhart, IN's air releases fell from 2.1 million lb in 2022 to 1.4 million lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
County population (Census ACS)
206,868
TRI Facilities
50
Water Systems
10
Superfund Sites
7
Total Releases
18.0M lbs

Air Quality History (2020–2024)

EPA Air Quality Index (AQI) data showing how many days per year fall into each air quality category.

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy (SG) Max AQI
2024 227 (62%) 138 1 145
2023 228 (62%) 130 5 193
2022 242 (67%) 117 3 127
2021 214 (59%) 151 0 87
2020 254 (69%) 110 0 161
2024 Good Air Quality: 62% of days
Unhealthy days: 1
Median AQI: 45

Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) Annual AQI by County AQI categories: Good (0-50), Moderate (51-100), Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150), Unhealthy (151-200), Very Unhealthy (201-300), Hazardous (301+)

For real-time air quality readings and pollutant breakdowns in Indiana, see the EPA's AirNow.gov.

Water Systems (10)

System System pop (SDWIS) Violations
ELKHART PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES 46,455 0
GOSHEN WATER UTILITY 32,267 0
NAPPANEE WATER UTILITY 6,800 0
MIDDLEBURY WATER DEPARTMENT 3,420 1
WAKARUSA WATER WORKS 1,998 1
BRISTOL WATER DEPARTMENT 1,805 0
MILLERSBURG WATER COMPANY 957 0
BRISTOL MOBILE VILLAGE 238 1
HICKORY LANE MOBILE HOME PARK 80 0
CULVERS HILL - NORTH WEBSTER 75 7

TRI Facilities (50)

# Facility Total Releases
1 Entech Inc 8.2M lbs
2 Better Way Products 1.6M lbs
3 Franklin-Bay LLC 672.4K lbs
4 Global Composites Inc Plant 4 641.7K lbs
5 Smoker Craft Inc. 514.4K lbs
6 Kountry Wood Products LLC 513.3K lbs
7 Highwater Marine Llc. DBA Godfrey Marine 417.3K lbs
8 Kountry Wood Products LLC 380.9K lbs
9 Lta Manufacturing LLC 364.8K lbs
10 Global Composites Inc. Plant 6 Panel Div 353.8K lbs
11 Forest River Inc. College Avenue Complex 351.5K lbs
12 Truck Accessories Group LLC DBA Tag Midwest 339.1K lbs
13 Altec Engineering Inc 336.2K lbs
14 Thor Wakarusa LLC 274.8K lbs
15 Global Composites Inc Plant 1 & 2 270.0K lbs
16 Masterbrand Cabinets Inc 259.3K lbs
17 Newmar Corp 241.7K lbs
18 Elkhart Products Corp 217.6K lbs
19 Lippert Components Inc Continental Stamping 192.5K lbs
20 Jayco Inc. 159.3K lbs
21 Premier Fiberglass 152.1K lbs
22 Forest River Inc. Coachmen Div 143.6K lbs
23 Carrera Custom Painting Inc. 134.8K lbs
24 Global Composites Inc Plant 3 101.6K lbs
25 Patrick Industries Inc. D/b/a Alpha Systems 90.3K lbs
26 Patrick Industries Inc DBA Adorn Door 84.0K lbs
27 Middlebury Hardwood Products 78.6K lbs
28 Talon Products LLC 76.5K lbs
29 Scientific Developments Inc. 73.2K lbs
30 Premium Custom Painting Co 63.1K lbs
31 Delivery Concepts Inc 60.4K lbs
32 Bonnell Aluminum (elkhart) Inc. 59.5K lbs
33 Altec Engineering LLC 49.6K lbs
34 Dairy Farmers of America Inc Goshen 48.2K lbs
35 Crane Composites Inc Goshen Operations 47.7K lbs
36 Vixen Composites LLC 45.2K lbs
37 Merchants Metals 42.1K lbs
38 The Shyft Group USA Inc 40.7K lbs
39 Keystone Rv Co 39.5K lbs
40 Newlett Inc D/b/a Gemstone 38.8K lbs
41 Smart LLC 33.3K lbs
42 Fiber Tron Corp 31.0K lbs
43 Lippert Components Inc Plants 19 26 30 30.1K lbs
44 Superior Industrial Solutions Inc. 29.1K lbs
45 Big Dog Adhesives LLC 26.9K lbs
46 Cana Inc. 22.7K lbs
47 Sherwin-Williams Co 21.6K lbs
48 Lippert Components Inc Plant 28 15.6K lbs
49 Kennametal Stellite 15.6K lbs
50 Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Co Inc 12.5K lbs

Superfund Sites (7)

Site Name Status HRS Score
Conrail Rail Yard (Elkhart) NPL Site 42.24
Himco Dump NPL Site 42.31
Lane Street Ground Water Contamination NPL Site 40.53
Lusher Street Ground Water Contamination NPL Site 50.00
Main Street Well Field NPL Site 42.49
North 5th Street Groundwater Contamination NPL Site 50.00
North Shore Drive NPL Site 50.00

Cities in Elkhart (8)

Elkhart
60 facilities · 2 water
Goshen
16 facilities · 1 water
Middlebury
13 facilities · 1 water
Bristol
8 facilities · 3 water
Nappanee
7 facilities · 2 water
New Paris
4 facilities · 0 water
Wakarusa
2 facilities · 1 water
Millersburg
1 facilities · 1 water

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the environmental risk level in Elkhart, Indiana?
Elkhart, IN has an environmental risk score of 91/100 (High Risk), based on 50 TRI facilities, 7 Superfund sites, and 10 water systems on record. 4 water systems have health-based violations. Source: EPA TRI, SDWIS, and Superfund NPL.
Are there Superfund sites in Elkhart?
Yes, Elkhart, IN has 7 Superfund sites on the EPA National Priorities List (NPL). Superfund sites are contaminated locations that require long-term cleanup under the EPA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
How many toxic release facilities are in Elkhart?
Elkhart, IN has 50 TRI-reporting facilities on record with the EPA Toxic Release Inventory, with a combined total of 18.0M lbs in reported toxic releases. TRI facilities self-report annual chemical release data to the EPA.
What is the air quality in Elkhart?
In 2024, Elkhart, IN recorded a median AQI of 45 and a peak AQI of 145. 62% of monitored days had "Good" air quality (AQI 0–50). Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) Annual AQI by County.
Is the drinking water safe in Elkhart?
Elkhart, IN has 10 EPA-regulated water systems. 4 systems have reported health-based violations (MCL exceedances). A past violation does not necessarily mean water is currently unsafe. For current water quality, contact your local water utility. Source: EPA SDWIS.
What environmental agencies cover Elkhart?
Environmental compliance in Elkhart, Indiana is overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the federal level and the Indiana state environmental agency. Facilities report to the EPA Toxic Release Inventory, water systems are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and contaminated sites are managed under the Superfund program. Contact your state environmental agency for local concerns.

What does this county environmental profile show?

This county environmental profile rolls up EPA Toxics Release Inventory facility reports, Safe Drinking Water Information System public-water-system filings, and Superfund National Priorities List sites for the county boundary defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. Facility counts reflect facilities with a reporting address inside the county, not where downstream environmental effects may be observed. Population figures are from the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimate. The county detail page is updated whenever the upstream EPA programs publish revised data; see the methodology page for the documented ingest cadence and the editorial choices governing how aggregations are computed.

Related

Data sourced from U.S. EPA environmental datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainEnviro