Is Franklin Grove, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
88.9/100
waterverge.com Franklin Grove, IL — Water Quality Report
Franklin Grove's drinking water received a grade of A- (88.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 896 residents using groundwater.
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 13 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Franklin Grove's water
Franklin Grove ranks #198 out of 891 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Franklin Grove relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Franklin Grove may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 8 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Franklin Grove, IL water safe to drink?
Franklin Grove's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (88.9/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 896 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Franklin Grove
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Franklin Grove's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (88.9/100).
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule, Chlorine, Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4461). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
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 Franklin Grove's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Franklin Grove's water system has 13 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved. 8 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Lee County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1973. 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 Franklin Grove's water come from?
Franklin Grove's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 896 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Franklin Grove residents can do
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.
Franklin Grove's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Franklin Grove
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Franklin Grove, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 250 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
UPM RAFLATAC INC. DIXON, IL61021 | Ammonia | 250 | 8.9 mi |
DONALDSON CO DIXON ILLINOIS DIXON, IL61021 | — | — | 9.1 mi |
AZZ GALVANIZING SERVICES-DIXON DIXON, IL61021 | — | — | 8.5 mi |
ALLIED-LOCKE INDUSTRIES INC AMBOY, IL61021 | — | — | 8.5 mi |
RAYNOR GARAGE DOORS DIXON, IL61021 | — | — | 8.5 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Lee County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1973. 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 Franklin Grove compares by contaminant
Explore where Franklin Grove ranks among all Illinois cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Franklin Grove's water comes from
Franklin Grove's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 896 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Franklin Grove
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANKLIN GROVE | IL1030250 | 896 | GW |
How Franklin Grove compares
Full Illinois rankings →Franklin Grove's score of 88.9/100 is above the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Illinois rankings →About Franklin Grove, IL
Wikipedia →Franklin Grove is a village in Lee County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, Franklin Grove had a population of 896.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Franklin Grove's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Lee
Frequently asked questions
Is Franklin Grove, IL tap water safe to drink?
Franklin Grove's water quality earned a grade of A- (88.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #198 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.
What contaminants are in Franklin Grove's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 13 violations are on record.
How is Franklin Grove'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 Franklin Grove?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Franklin Grove's water come from?
Franklin Grove's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 896 residents.
Is Franklin Grove's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Franklin Grove 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 13 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 Franklin Grove's water compare to other cities?
Franklin Grove ranks #198 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 78% of state cities) and #3185 out of 15744 cities nationally (80th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Franklin Grove's small water system affect quality?
Franklin Grove's system serves approximately 896 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 13 violations on record.