WaterVerge

Is Illiopolis, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B-, with 8 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 2 water systems PWSID: IL1670550
Overall Score
72.8 / 100
Violations
8 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased ground water
#705 of 891 in Illinois Top 65% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
72.8/100
waterverge.com
B- 72.8/100

Illiopolis, IL — Water Quality Report

Illiopolis's drinking water received a grade of B- (72.8 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,062 residents using purchased ground water.

Lead levels were measured at 4.2 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 20 violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Illiopolis's water

Illiopolis ranks #705 out of 891 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.

Illiopolis 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, Illiopolis may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 12 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
72.8 out of 100 Grade B-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
27.8/45
C
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
18/20
A
Lead at 4.2 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Purchased ground water.
Water Safety

Is Illiopolis, IL water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Illiopolis's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (72.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,062 residents using groundwater (wells).

8
Active Violations
4.2 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
2 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Illiopolis

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Illiopolis's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (72.8/100).

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule, TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: TTHM.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper 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-438). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 4.2 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Illiopolis's water system has 20 total violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved. 12 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MROtherMCL
Most recent violations:
Apr 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Apr 2025 TTHM Resolved
Apr 2025 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jul 2024 TTHM Resolved
Oct 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Sangamon County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1974. 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 Lake Fork.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3230
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-438

Where does Illiopolis's water come from?

Illiopolis's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 1,062 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Lake Fork (river).

What Illiopolis residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

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
4.2 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 28% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

20
Total violations
5
Health-based
8
Active / unresolved
Apr 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

20 Total
8 Active
5 Health-based
12 Resolved
2 SNC
Violations by category
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
7
Lead and Copper Rule
3
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
3
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Apr 2025 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2023 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2017 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2006 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Sep 2004 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Apr 2025 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Jul 2024 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2024
Jan 2023 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2023
Oct 2022 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Apr 2022 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2022
Oct 2021 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
SNC Health Resolved Dec 2021
Jul 2021 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
SNC Health Resolved Sep 2021
Jan 2020 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2020
Jul 2006 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2006
Jun 1977 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1981
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

2
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Sangamon County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1974. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3230
Jun 1974
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #438

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 4.2 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 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,062
Water Systems
2
Source breakdown
Purchased Groundwater
1
Groundwater
1
Water Source

Where Illiopolis's water comes from

Purchased Groundwater

Illiopolis 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 Illiopolis'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 1,062 people through 2 water systems.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Illiopolis

Illiopolis is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Lake Fork
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Illiopolis

System Name PWSID Population Source
ILLIOPOLIS IL1670550 1,037 GWP
UNITED REGIONAL WATER COOP IL1670260 25 GW
Regional Comparison

How Illiopolis compares

Full Illinois rankings →

Illiopolis's score of 72.8/100 is above the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.

Illiopolis (this city)
72.8
Chicago
35.2
Aurora
45.5
Joliet
38.5
Naperville
81.2
Champaign
91.9
Illinois avg
56
City Profile

About Illiopolis, IL

Wikipedia →

Illiopolis is a village in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, Illiopolis had a population of 846. It is part of the Springfield, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Economic Profile
$77,292
Median Income
$91,466
Median Home Value
$698/mo
Median Rent
2.5%
Unemployment
Community
40.3
Median Age
469
People / sq mi
18.2%
College Educated
75.8%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Illiopolis, IL tap water safe to drink?

Illiopolis's water quality earned a grade of B- (72.8/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #705 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.

What contaminants are in Illiopolis's water?

Lead was measured at 4.2 ppb (90th percentile). 20 violations are on record.

How is Illiopolis'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 Illiopolis?

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

Where does Illiopolis's water come from?

Illiopolis's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,062 residents.

What health violations has Illiopolis's water system had?

Illiopolis has 5 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in April 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 8 violations remain unresolved.

Is Illiopolis's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Illiopolis 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 20 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 Illiopolis's water compare to other cities?

Illiopolis ranks #705 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 21% of state cities) and #10237 out of 15744 cities nationally (35th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.