Is Beecher City, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D+, with 16 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
53.7/100
Beecher City, IL — Water Quality Report
Beecher City's drinking water received a grade of D+ (53.7 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 500 residents using purchased ground 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 38 violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 16 remain unresolved.
What to know about Beecher City's water
Beecher City ranks #833 out of 891 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
Beecher City purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
As a small community water system, Beecher City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 28 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Beecher City, IL water safe to drink?
Beecher City's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (53.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 500 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Beecher City
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Beecher City's water quality assessment. Grade: D+ (53.7/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule, Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule, Chlorine.
Contaminants: Public Notice.
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 Beecher City's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Beecher City's water system has 38 total violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 16 remain unresolved. 28 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. Local water sources include Kaskaskia River.
Where does Beecher City's water come from?
Beecher City's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 500 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Kaskaskia River (river).
What Beecher City residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Beecher City'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 Beecher City compares by contaminant
Explore where Beecher City ranks among all Illinois cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Beecher City's water comes from
Beecher City purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Beecher City's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.
Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 500 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Beecher City
Beecher City is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Beecher City
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEECHER CITY | IL0490100 | 500 | GWP |
How Beecher City compares
Full Illinois rankings →Beecher City's score of 53.7/100 is on par with the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Illinois rankings →About Beecher City, IL
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Beecher City's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Effingham
Frequently asked questions
Is Beecher City, IL tap water safe to drink?
Beecher City's water quality earned a grade of D+ (53.7/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #833 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.
What contaminants are in Beecher City's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 38 violations are on record.
How is Beecher City'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 Beecher City?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Beecher City's water come from?
Beecher City's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 500 residents.
What health violations has Beecher City's water system had?
Beecher City has 4 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 16 violations remain unresolved.
Is Beecher City's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Beecher City uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 38 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Beecher City's water compare to other cities?
Beecher City ranks #833 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 7% of state cities) and #12668 out of 15744 cities nationally (20th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Beecher City's small water system affect quality?
Beecher City's system serves approximately 500 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 38 violations on record.