Is Merrionette Park, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B, with 17 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
77.4/100
waterverge.com Merrionette Park, IL — Water Quality Report
Merrionette Park's drinking water received a grade of B (77.4 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,357 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 21 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 17 remain unresolved.
What to know about Merrionette Park's water
Merrionette Park ranks #632 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, Merrionette Park may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Merrionette Park, IL water safe to drink?
Merrionette Park's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (77.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,357 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Merrionette Park
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Merrionette Park's water quality assessment. Grade: B (77.4/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4819). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4749). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Merrionette Park's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Merrionette Park's water system has 21 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 17 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Cook County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1972. 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 Michigan, Pullman Creek, Des Plaines River, Chicago Sanitary And Ship Canal, Butterfield Creek.
Where does Merrionette Park's water come from?
Merrionette Park's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 2,357 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Lake Michigan (lake), Pullman Creek (river), Des Plaines River (river), Chicago Sanitary And Ship Canal (river), Butterfield Creek (river).
What Merrionette Park residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Merrionette Park's water.
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.
Merrionette Park'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 Merrionette Park
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Merrionette Park, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 187,678 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
CARGILL TEXTURIZING SOLUTIONS HAMMOND, IN46320 | Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution) | 187,428 | 9.7 mi |
CID RECYCLING & DISPOSAL FACILITY CALUMET CITY, IL60409 | Ammonia | 101 | 7.3 mi |
CLEVELAND-CLIFFS RIVERDALE LLC RIVERDALE, IL60827 | Manganese And Manganese Compounds | 90 | 4.6 mi |
ENVIRITE OF ILLINOIS INC HARVEY, IL60426 | Zinc compounds | 52 | 6.9 mi |
SIGNODE INDUSTRIAL GROUP LLC BRIDGEVIEW, IL60455 | Lead And Lead Compounds | 7 | 8.0 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Superfund sites within 10 miles of Merrionette Park
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.
- LAKE CALUMET CLUSTER6.8 mi
- ACME STEEL COKE PLANT7.2 mi
- SCHROUD PROPERTY8.2 mi
- ESTECH GENERAL CHEMICAL COMPANY9.7 mi
Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List
Flood & disaster history
Cook County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1972. 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 Merrionette Park compares by contaminant
Explore where Merrionette Park ranks among all Illinois cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Merrionette Park's water comes from
Merrionette Park'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 2,357 people through 2 water systems.
Water bodies near Merrionette Park
Merrionette Park is located near 5 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Merrionette Park
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MERRIONETTE PARK | IL0311890 | 1,969 | SWP |
| OAK LANE MHC | IL0311900 | 388 | SWP |
How Merrionette Park compares
Full Illinois rankings →Merrionette Park's score of 77.4/100 is above the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Illinois rankings →About Merrionette Park, IL
Wikipedia →Merrionette Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,969 as of the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Merrionette Park's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Cook
Frequently asked questions
Is Merrionette Park, IL tap water safe to drink?
Merrionette Park's water quality earned a grade of B (77.4/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #632 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.
What contaminants are in Merrionette Park's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 21 violations are on record.
How is Merrionette Park'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 Merrionette Park?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Merrionette Park's water come from?
Merrionette Park's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,357 residents.
How does Merrionette Park's water compare to other cities?
Merrionette Park ranks #632 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 29% of state cities) and #9004 out of 15744 cities nationally (43th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.