Is Altamont, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
88/100
waterverge.com Altamont, IL — Water Quality Report
Altamont's drinking water received a grade of A- (88 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,300 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 23 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
What to know about Altamont's water
Altamont ranks #236 out of 891 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Altamont may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Altamont, IL water safe to drink?
Altamont's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (88/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,300 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Altamont
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Altamont's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (88/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3230). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Altamont's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Altamont's water system has 23 total violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Effingham County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Altamont's water come from?
Altamont's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,300 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Altamont residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Altamont's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Flood & disaster history
Effingham County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Altamont compares by contaminant
Explore where Altamont ranks among all Illinois cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Altamont's water comes from
Altamont's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,300 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Altamont
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALTAMONT | IL0490050 | 2,300 | SW |
How Altamont compares
Full Illinois rankings →Altamont's score of 88/100 is above the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Illinois rankings →About Altamont, IL
Wikipedia →Altamont is a city in Effingham County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,216 at the 2020 census. Altamont is part of the Effingham, Illinois Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Altamont's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Effingham
Frequently asked questions
Is Altamont, IL tap water safe to drink?
Altamont's water quality earned a grade of A- (88/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #236 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.
What contaminants are in Altamont's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 23 violations are on record.
How is Altamont's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Altamont?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Altamont's water come from?
Altamont's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,300 residents.
What health violations has Altamont's water system had?
Altamont has 6 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.
How does Altamont's water compare to other cities?
Altamont ranks #236 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 74% of state cities) and #3709 out of 15744 cities nationally (76th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Altamont's small water system affect quality?
Altamont's system serves approximately 2,300 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 23 violations on record.