Is New Berlin, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D, with 17 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
48.1/100
waterverge.com New Berlin, IL — Water Quality Report
New Berlin's drinking water received a grade of D (48.1 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,405 residents using purchased ground 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 66 violations on record, including 28 health-based violations. 17 remain unresolved.
What to know about New Berlin's water
New Berlin ranks #850 out of 891 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
New Berlin 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, New Berlin may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 24 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is New Berlin, IL water safe to drink?
New Berlin's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (48.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,405 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for New Berlin
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into New Berlin's water quality assessment. Grade: D (48.1/100).
Contaminants: Public Notice, Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Public Notice, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3230). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
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 New Berlin's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
New Berlin's water system has 66 total violations on record, including 28 health-based violations. 17 remain unresolved. 24 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
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 Lick Creek.
Where does New Berlin's water come from?
New Berlin's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 2,405 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Lick Creek (river).
What New Berlin residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in New Berlin'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.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Flood & disaster history
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.
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 New Berlin compares by contaminant
Explore where New Berlin ranks among all Illinois cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where New Berlin's water comes from
New Berlin 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 New Berlin'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 2,405 people through 2 water systems.
Water bodies near New Berlin
New Berlin is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving New Berlin
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEW BERLIN | IL1670800 | 1,380 | GWP |
| EJ WATER-SANGCHRIS | IL1670230 | 1,025 | GWP |
How New Berlin compares
Full Illinois rankings →New Berlin's score of 48.1/100 is below the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Illinois rankings →About New Berlin, IL
Wikipedia →New Berlin is a village in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, New Berlin had a population of 1,381. It is part of the Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area. New Berlin is home to CUSD #16, New Berlin High School.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to New Berlin's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Sangamon
Frequently asked questions
Is New Berlin, IL tap water safe to drink?
New Berlin's water quality earned a grade of D (48.1/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #850 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.
What contaminants are in New Berlin's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 66 violations are on record.
How is New Berlin'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 New Berlin?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does New Berlin's water come from?
New Berlin's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,405 residents.
What health violations has New Berlin's water system had?
New Berlin has 28 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 17 violations remain unresolved.
Is New Berlin's groundwater at risk of contamination?
New Berlin 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 66 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 New Berlin's water compare to other cities?
New Berlin ranks #850 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 5% of state cities) and #13491 out of 15744 cities nationally (14th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.