01The verdict: is Rosiclare water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, Rosiclare's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A (93.1/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,387 residents using groundwater (wells).
Nothing over a legal limit
Every contaminant measured in Rosiclare's water is within its EPA limit, and no violations are unresolved.
See the testing ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 1.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓1 violation in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Rosiclare's drinking water received a grade of A (93.1 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,387 residents using ground water under influence.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 1 violation on record, including 1 health-based violation. All violations have been resolved.
Rosiclare ranks #51 out of 882 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state. Rosiclare 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. As a small community water system, Rosiclare may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Rosiclare's water
Every contaminant flagged in Rosiclare, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 1.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Illinois
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Illinois
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Rosiclare's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 1 violation on record, including 1 health-based violation. All violations have been resolved.
9 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 1 ppb since 2023. Latest reading: 1 ppb (2025) — 7% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Rosiclare's water comes from
Rosiclare's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Ground Water Under Influence
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system (1 wholesaler), operated under private ownership.
1,387 people
Residents served across Rosiclare's service area.
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 private ownership and serves approximately 1,387 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| IL AMERICAN-ROSICLARE | IL0690160 | 1,387 | Ground Water Under Influence |
Water bodies near Rosiclare
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Rosiclare's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
6 federal disaster declarations on record for Madison County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Rosiclare compares
Scores for nearby Illinois cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Illinois average (55/100)
Rosiclare scores 93.1/100 — above the Illinois average of 55/100. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities. Full Illinois rankings →
35.2 / 100DAurora, IL
45.5 / 100FJoliet, IL
38.5 / 100BNaperville, IL
81.2 / 100FRockford, IL
38.4 / 100FKankakee, IL
42.6 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Rosiclare's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Rosiclare's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Rosiclare alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Rosiclare, IL tap water safe to drink?
Rosiclare's water quality earned a grade of A (93.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #51 out of 882 cities tested in Illinois.
What contaminants are in Rosiclare's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 1 violation is on record.
How is Rosiclare'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 Rosiclare?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Rosiclare's water come from?
Rosiclare's water is sourced from Ground water under influence. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,387 residents.
What health violations has Rosiclare's water system had?
Rosiclare has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in February 2021. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
Is Rosiclare's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Rosiclare 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 1 violation 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 Rosiclare's water compare to other cities?
Rosiclare ranks #51 out of 882 cities in Illinois (better than 94% of state cities) and #962 out of 15382 cities nationally (94th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Rosiclare's small water system affect quality?
Rosiclare's system serves approximately 1,387 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 1 violation on record.