01The verdict: is Carrier Mills water safe?
Carrier Mills's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (88.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,085 residents using groundwater (wells).
3 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Top half in Illinois
Carrier Mills ranks #215 of 882 graded Illinois cities.
See the comparison ↓3 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Carrier Mills's drinking water received a grade of A- (88.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,085 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 5.3 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 33 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
Carrier Mills ranks #215 out of 882 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it above average in the state. Carrier Mills purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Carrier Mills may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Carrier Mills's water
Every contaminant flagged in Carrier Mills, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 5.3 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Illinois
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Illinois
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Carrier Mills's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 33 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
7 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 5.3 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 5.3 ppb (2025) — 35% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Carrier Mills's water comes from
Carrier Mills purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
2,085 people
Residents served across Carrier Mills's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Carrier Mills'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 2,085 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARRIER MILLS | IL1650050 | 2,085 | Purchased Groundwater |
Water bodies near Carrier Mills
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Carrier Mills's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
1 federal disaster declaration on record for Saline County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Carrier Mills compares
Scores for nearby Illinois cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Illinois average (55/100)
Carrier Mills scores 88.5/100 — above the Illinois average of 55/100. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities. Full Illinois rankings →
35.2 / 100DAurora, IL
45.5 / 100FJoliet, IL
38.5 / 100BNaperville, IL
81.2 / 100FRockford, IL
38.4 / 100FKankakee, IL
42.6 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Carrier Mills's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 5.3 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Carrier Mills alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Carrier Mills, IL tap water safe to drink?
Carrier Mills's water quality earned a grade of A- (88.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #215 out of 882 cities tested in Illinois.
What contaminants are in Carrier Mills's water?
Lead was measured at 5.3 ppb (90th percentile). 33 violations are on record.
How is Carrier Mills'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 Carrier Mills?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Carrier Mills's water come from?
Carrier Mills's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,085 residents.
What health violations has Carrier Mills's water system had?
Carrier Mills has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.
Is Carrier Mills's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Carrier Mills 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 33 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 Carrier Mills's water compare to other cities?
Carrier Mills ranks #215 out of 882 cities in Illinois (better than 76% of state cities) and #3398 out of 15382 cities nationally (78th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Carrier Mills's small water system affect quality?
Carrier Mills's system serves approximately 2,085 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 33 violations on record.