WaterVerge

Is Kincaid, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 5 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: IL0210250
Overall Score
84 / 100
Violations
5 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#426 of 891 in Illinois Top 39% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
84/100
waterverge.com
B+ 84/100

Kincaid, IL — Water Quality Report

Kincaid's drinking water received a grade of B+ (84 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,561 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 29 violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Kincaid's water

Kincaid ranks #426 out of 891 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it mid-range 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, Kincaid may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
84 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
35/45
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
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Kincaid, IL water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Kincaid's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (84/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,561 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

5
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
1 event
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Kincaid

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Kincaid's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (84/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

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 Kincaid's water supply.

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Kincaid's water system has 29 total violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

TTMROther
Most recent violations:
Mar 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jan 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jun 2007 Public Notice Open
May 2006 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jul 2003 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Christian 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.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3230

Where does Kincaid's water come from?

Kincaid's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,561 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.

What Kincaid residents can do

Install a water filter

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

29
Total violations
4
Health-based
5
Active / unresolved
Mar 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

29 Total
5 Active
4 Health-based
24 Resolved
Violations by category
Surface Water Treatment Rule
10
Inorganic Chemicals
6
Total Coliform Rule
5
Lead and Copper Rule
2
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
1
Mar 2025 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jan 2025 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jun 2007 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2003 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
May 2006 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2006
Jul 2003 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 2003
Jun 2003 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2003
Jun 1998 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 1998
May 1998 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health Resolved May 1998
Apr 1998 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Apr 1998
Mar 1998 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 1998
Feb 1998 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Feb 1998
Jun 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1996
Sep 1993 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1993
Sep 1993 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1993
Aug 1993 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 1993
Aug 1993 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 1993
Jul 1993 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 1993
Jul 1993 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 1993
Showing 20 of 29 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Kincaid

Industrial polluters nearby

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

Total reported releases to surface water: 106 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
KINCAID POWER STATION
Electric Utilities · VISTRA CORP
KINCAID, IL62540
Barium And Barium Compounds1060.4 mi
AHLSTROM FILTRATION LLC
Paper · AHLSTROM USA INC
TAYLORVILLE, IL62568
7.5 mi
GSI GROUP
Fabricated Metals · A-AG US PROTEIN BIDCO INC
TAYLORVILLE, IL62568
6.4 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of Kincaid

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

Flood & disaster history

1
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Christian 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.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3230

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 6.0 ppb from 1993 (6.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,561
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Kincaid's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Kincaid'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 1,561 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Kincaid

System Name PWSID Population Source
KINCAID IL0210250 1,561 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Kincaid compares

Full Illinois rankings →

Kincaid's score of 84/100 is above the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Kincaid (this city)
84
Chicago
35.2
Aurora
45.5
Joliet
38.5
Naperville
81.2
Champaign
91.9
Illinois avg
56
City Profile

About Kincaid, IL

Wikipedia →

Kincaid is a village in Christian County, Illinois. The population was 1,349 at the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$63,810
Median Income
$78,430
Median Home Value
$700/mo
Median Rent
3.9%
Unemployment
Community
54.1
Median Age
542
People / sq mi
7.5%
College Educated
74.3%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Kincaid, IL tap water safe to drink?

Kincaid's water quality earned a grade of B+ (84/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #426 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.

What contaminants are in Kincaid's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 29 violations are on record.

How is Kincaid'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 Kincaid?

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

Where does Kincaid's water come from?

Kincaid's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,561 residents.

What health violations has Kincaid's water system had?

Kincaid has 4 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in March 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.

How does Kincaid's water compare to other cities?

Kincaid ranks #426 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 52% of state cities) and #6153 out of 15744 cities nationally (61th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Kincaid's small water system affect quality?

Kincaid's system serves approximately 1,561 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 29 violations on record.