WaterVerge

Is Sawyerville, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B, with 12 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

578 residents served 1 water system PWSID: IL1170850
Overall Score
76.7 / 100
Violations
12 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#649 of 891 in Illinois Top 59% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
BGRADE
Water Quality Grade
76.7/100
waterverge.com
B 76.7/100

Sawyerville, IL — Water Quality Report

Sawyerville's drinking water received a grade of B (76.7 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 578 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 37 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Sawyerville's water

Sawyerville ranks #649 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, Sawyerville may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 6 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
76.7 out of 100 Grade B
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
30.7/45
C
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Sawyerville, IL water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Sawyerville's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (76.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 578 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

12
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
1 event
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Sawyerville

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Sawyerville's water quality assessment. Grade: B (76.7/100).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS, Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3230). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Sawyerville's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Sawyerville's water system has 37 total violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved. 6 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

RPTOtherMRTTMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2025 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jan 2025 TTHM Resolved
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open

Flood & environmental risk

Macoupin County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3230

Where does Sawyerville's water come from?

Sawyerville's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 578 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.

What Sawyerville residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Sawyerville's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

37
Total violations
7
Health-based
12
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

37 Total
12 Active
7 Health-based
25 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
17
Lead and Copper Rule
7
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
6
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
2
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
Jul 2025 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 1997 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 1996 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 1996 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 1995 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 1995 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 1994 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 1993 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2025 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2025
Jan 2025 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2025
Sep 2004 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2004
Jul 1997 Resolved
Atrazine
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 1997
Apr 1997 Resolved
Atrazine
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 1997
Feb 1997 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Feb 1997
Jan 1997 Resolved
Atrazine
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 1997
Dec 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1996
Showing 20 of 37 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Sawyerville

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Sawyerville, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
MENNEL MILLING CO OF ILLINOIS
Food · THE MENNEL MILLING CO
MOUNT OLIVE, IL62069
4.4 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

1
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Macoupin County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3230

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 0.0 ppb from 1997 (0.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Sawyerville compares by contaminant

Explore where Sawyerville ranks among all Illinois cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
578
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Sawyerville's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Sawyerville'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 578 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Sawyerville

System Name PWSID Population Source
SAWYERVILLE IL1170850 578 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Sawyerville compares

Full Illinois rankings →

Sawyerville's score of 76.7/100 is above the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.

Sawyerville (this city)
76.7
Chicago
35.2
Aurora
45.5
Joliet
38.5
Naperville
81.2
Champaign
91.9
Illinois avg
56
City Profile

About Sawyerville, IL

Wikipedia →

Sawyerville is a village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census the population was 268.

Economic Profile
$46,161
Median Income
$103,369
Median Home Value
$900/mo
Median Rent
5.7%
Unemployment
Community
48.3
Median Age
78
People / sq mi
14.4%
College Educated
78.3%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Sawyerville, IL tap water safe to drink?

Sawyerville's water quality earned a grade of B (76.7/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #649 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.

What contaminants are in Sawyerville's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 37 violations are on record.

How is Sawyerville'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 Sawyerville?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Sawyerville's water come from?

Sawyerville's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 578 residents.

What health violations has Sawyerville's water system had?

Sawyerville has 7 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. 12 violations remain unresolved.

How does Sawyerville's water compare to other cities?

Sawyerville ranks #649 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 27% of state cities) and #9232 out of 15744 cities nationally (41th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Sawyerville's small water system affect quality?

Sawyerville's system serves approximately 578 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 37 violations on record.