Is North Pekin, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A- — but Chlorate was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
89.1/100
waterverge.com North Pekin, IL — Water Quality Report
North Pekin's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,478 residents using groundwater.
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 4 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about North Pekin's water
North Pekin ranks #193 out of 891 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
North Pekin relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 1.11 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.
As a small community water system, North Pekin may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is North Pekin, IL water safe to drink?
North Pekin's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (89.1/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,478 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for North Pekin
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into North Pekin's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (89.1/100).
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4116). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3230). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Nitrate.
Contaminants: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for North Pekin's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
North Pekin's water system has 4 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Tazewell County has experienced 6 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. Local water sources include Illinois River Above Rte 150, Farm Creek, Fondulac Creek.
Where does North Pekin's water come from?
North Pekin's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,478 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Illinois River Above Rte 150 (river), Farm Creek (river), Fondulac Creek (river).
What North Pekin residents can do
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.
North Pekin'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 North Pekin
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near North Pekin, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 93,358 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
PACIFIC ETHANOL PEKIN, LLC PEKIN, IL61554 | Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution) | 89,333 | 4.3 mi |
POWERTON GENERATING STATION PEKIN, IL61554 | Barium compounds (except for barium sulfate (CAS No. 7727-43-7)) | 2,086 | 6.1 mi |
KEYSTONE STEEL & WIRE CO D/B/A LIBERTY STEEL & WIRE PEORIA BARTONVILLE, IL61607 | Manganese compounds | 1,201 | 3.1 mi |
CATERPILLAR INC MAPLETON PLANT MAPLETON, IL61547 | Chlorine | 376 | 6.8 mi |
CATERPILLAR EAST PEORIA EAST PEORIA, IL61630 | Manganese | 362 | 4.8 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Tazewell County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1973. 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 North Pekin compares by contaminant
Explore where North Pekin ranks among all Illinois cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where North Pekin's water comes from
North Pekin's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,478 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near North Pekin
North Pekin is located near 3 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving North Pekin
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORTH PEKIN | IL1790550 | 1,478 | GW |
How North Pekin compares
Full Illinois rankings →North Pekin's score of 89.1/100 is above the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Illinois rankings →About North Pekin, IL
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to North Pekin's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Tazewell
Frequently asked questions
Is North Pekin, IL tap water safe to drink?
North Pekin's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #193 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.
What contaminants are in North Pekin's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 4 violations are on record.
How is North Pekin'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 North Pekin?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does North Pekin's water come from?
North Pekin's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,478 residents.
What health violations has North Pekin's water system had?
North Pekin has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
Is North Pekin's groundwater at risk of contamination?
North Pekin 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 4 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 North Pekin's water compare to other cities?
North Pekin ranks #193 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 78% of state cities) and #3036 out of 15744 cities nationally (81th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does North Pekin's small water system affect quality?
North Pekin's system serves approximately 1,478 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 4 violations on record.