Is Philo, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
86.6/100
waterverge.com Philo, IL — Water Quality Report
Philo's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,378 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 1.8 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 3 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Philo's water
Philo ranks #314 out of 891 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Philo 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, Philo may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Philo, IL water safe to drink?
Philo's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (86.6/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,378 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Philo
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Philo's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (86.6/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3230). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-373). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Philo's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Philo's water system has 3 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Kankakee County has experienced 2 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 Iroquois River.
Where does Philo's water come from?
Philo's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,378 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Iroquois River (river).
What Philo 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.
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 Philo
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Philo, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 3 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
GUARDIAN WEST URBANA, IL61802 | Nickel And Nickel Compounds | 3 | 8.0 mi |
SAFETY-KLEEN SYSTEMS URBANA (URB) URBANA, IL61802 | — | — | 9.5 mi |
FLEX-N-GATE URBANA, IL61802 | — | — | 8.0 mi |
ALDRICH-APL LLC URBANA, IL61802 | — | — | 9.9 mi |
EMULSICOAT INC URBANA, IL61802 | — | — | 8.1 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Kankakee County has experienced 2 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. | 1.8 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Philo compares by contaminant
Explore where Philo ranks among all Illinois cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Philo's water comes from
Philo 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 Philo'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 private ownership and serves approximately 1,378 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Philo
Philo is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Philo
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQUA ILLINOIS-PHILO | IL0190600 | 1,378 | GWP |
How Philo compares
Full Illinois rankings →Philo's score of 86.6/100 is above the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Illinois rankings →About Philo, IL
Wikipedia →Kankakee is a city in and the county seat of Kankakee County, Illinois, United States. Located on the Kankakee River, as of 2020, the city's population was 24,052. Kankakee is a principal city of the Kankakee-Bourbonnais-Bradley Metropolitan Statistical Area. It serves as an anchor city in the rural plains outside Chicago.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Philo's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Champaign
Frequently asked questions
Is Philo, IL tap water safe to drink?
Philo's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #314 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.
What contaminants are in Philo's water?
Lead was measured at 1.8 ppb (90th percentile). 3 violations are on record.
How is Philo'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 Philo?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Philo's water come from?
Philo's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,378 residents.
Is Philo's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Philo 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 3 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 Philo's water compare to other cities?
Philo ranks #314 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 65% of state cities) and #4611 out of 15744 cities nationally (71th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Philo's small water system affect quality?
Philo's system serves approximately 1,378 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 3 violations on record.