Is Walnut Hill, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A+ with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Walnut Hill ranks. What to do next ↓
95.2/100
waterverge.com Walnut Hill, IL — Water Quality Report
Walnut Hill's drinking water received a grade of A+ (95.2 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,180 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 3 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
What to know about Walnut Hill's water
Walnut Hill ranks #13 out of 891 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it one of the best 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, Walnut Hill may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Walnut Hill, IL water safe to drink?
Based on EPA testing data, Walnut Hill's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (95.2/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,180 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Walnut Hill
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Walnut Hill's water quality assessment. Grade: A+ (95.2/100).
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3230). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Walnut Hill's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Walnut Hill's water system has 3 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Marion 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.
Where does Walnut Hill's water come from?
Walnut Hill's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,180 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Walnut Hill 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 Walnut Hill
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Walnut Hill, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL LLC CENTRALIA, IL62801 | — | — | 5.3 mi |
SWAN SURFACES LLC CENTRALIA, IL62801 | — | — | 5.2 mi |
HAWKINS INC. - CENTRALIA CENTRALIA, IL62801 | — | — | 5.4 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Superfund sites within 10 miles of Walnut Hill
Superfund sites nearby
Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
- SANDOVAL ZINC COMPANY10.0 mi
Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List
Flood & disaster history
Marion 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.
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 Walnut Hill compares by contaminant
Explore where Walnut Hill ranks among all Illinois cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Walnut Hill's water comes from
Walnut Hill'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 1,180 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Walnut Hill
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| WALNUT HILL | IL1210600 | 1,180 | SWP |
How Walnut Hill compares
Full Illinois rankings →Walnut Hill's score of 95.2/100 is above the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Illinois rankings →About Walnut Hill, IL
Wikipedia →Centralia is a city in Clinton, Jefferson, Marion, and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Illinois with the largest portion in Marion County. The city is the largest in three counties, Clinton, Marion, and Washington, but it is not a county seat for any of them. The population was 12,182 as of the 2020 census, down from 13,032 in 2010.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Walnut Hill's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Marion
Frequently asked questions
Is Walnut Hill, IL tap water safe to drink?
Walnut Hill's water quality earned a grade of A+ (95.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #13 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.
What contaminants are in Walnut Hill's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 3 violations are on record.
How is Walnut Hill'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 Walnut Hill?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Walnut Hill's water come from?
Walnut Hill's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,180 residents.
How does Walnut Hill's water compare to other cities?
Walnut Hill ranks #13 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 99% of state cities) and #340 out of 15744 cities nationally (98th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Walnut Hill's small water system affect quality?
Walnut Hill's system serves approximately 1,180 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.