WaterVerge

Is Goreville, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: IL0870200
Overall Score
81.6 / 100
Violations
3 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#521 of 891 in Illinois Top 47% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
81.6/100
waterverge.com
B+ 81.6/100

Goreville, IL — Water Quality Report

Goreville's drinking water received a grade of B+ (81.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,068 residents using purchased 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 7 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Goreville's water

Goreville ranks #521 out of 891 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it below average 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, Goreville may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
81.6 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
37.6/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
3/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Goreville, IL water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Goreville's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (81.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,068 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

3
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
2 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Goreville

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Goreville's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (81.6/100).

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), CARBON, TOTAL, TTHM.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: CARBON, TOTAL.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3230). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-373). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Goreville's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Goreville's water system has 7 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MRTTOther
Most recent violations:
Jul 2024 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jul 2024 CARBON, TOTAL Resolved
Jul 2024 TTHM Resolved
Apr 2024 CARBON, TOTAL Resolved
Jul 2023 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Johnson County has experienced 2 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.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3230
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-373

Where does Goreville's water come from?

Goreville's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,068 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.

What Goreville residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Goreville's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

7
Total violations
2
Health-based
3
Active / unresolved
Jul 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

7 Total
3 Active
2 Health-based
4 Resolved
Violations by category
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2013 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jul 2024 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2024
Jul 2024 Resolved
CARBON, TOTAL
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2024
Jul 2024 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2024
Apr 2024 Resolved
CARBON, TOTAL
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2024
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Goreville

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Goreville, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
GENERAL DYNAMICS ORDNANCE & TACTICAL SYSTEMS INC BFP AREA
Fabricated Metals · GENERAL DYNAMICS CORP
MARION, IL62959
3.4 mi
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS POWER COOPERATIVE
Electric Utilities · NA
MARION, IL62959
5.2 mi
U.S.P. MARION
Other · US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
MARION, IL62959
7.2 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of Goreville

Superfund sites nearby

Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.

Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D1 — moderate drought

Johnson County is currently in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

6.2%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

2
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Johnson County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1973. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3230
Apr 1973
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #373

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 0.0 ppb from 1993 (0.0 ppb) to 2024 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,068
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Goreville's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Goreville'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 1,068 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Goreville

System Name PWSID Population Source
GOREVILLE IL0870200 1,068 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Goreville compares

Full Illinois rankings →

Goreville's score of 81.6/100 is above the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Goreville (this city)
81.6
Chicago
35.2
Aurora
45.5
Joliet
38.5
Naperville
81.2
Champaign
91.9
Illinois avg
56
City Profile

About Goreville, IL

Wikipedia →

Goreville is a village in Johnson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,068 as of the 2020 census, up from 1,049 at the 2010 census.

Economic Profile
$73,523
Median Income
$111,040
Median Home Value
$720/mo
Median Rent
1.8%
Unemployment
Community
51.9
Median Age
165
People / sq mi
18.1%
College Educated
83.1%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Goreville, IL tap water safe to drink?

Goreville's water quality earned a grade of B+ (81.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #521 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.

What contaminants are in Goreville's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 7 violations are on record.

How is Goreville'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 Goreville?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Goreville's water come from?

Goreville's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,068 residents.

What health violations has Goreville's water system had?

Goreville has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.

How does Goreville's water compare to other cities?

Goreville ranks #521 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 42% of state cities) and #7407 out of 15744 cities nationally (53th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Goreville's small water system affect quality?

Goreville's system serves approximately 1,068 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 7 violations on record.