01The verdict: is White Hall water safe?
White Hall's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C+ (66.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,313 residents using groundwater (wells).
16 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 4.8 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓15 violations 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 ↓White Hall's drinking water received a grade of C+ (66.2 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,313 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 4.8 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 49 violations on record, including 12 health-based violations. 16 remain unresolved.
White Hall ranks #765 out of 882 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. White Hall 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, White Hall may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 15 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in White Hall's water
Every contaminant flagged in White Hall, 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. | 4.8 | 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
03White Hall'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 49 violations on record, including 12 health-based violations. 16 remain unresolved.
5 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.
▲ Up 4.8 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 4.8 ppb (2025) — 32% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where White Hall's water comes from
White Hall's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
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, operated under local government ownership.
2,313 people
Residents served across White Hall'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 local government ownership and serves approximately 2,313 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| WHITE HALL | IL0610400 | 2,313 | Groundwater |
05Pressure on White Hall'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
7 federal disaster declarations on record for Greene County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How White Hall compares
Scores for nearby Illinois cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Illinois average (55/100)
White Hall scores 66.2/100 — above the Illinois average of 55/100. It outscores 7 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 White Hall's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
White Hall'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 →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for White Hall 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 White Hall, IL tap water safe to drink?
White Hall's water quality earned a grade of C+ (66.2/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #765 out of 882 cities tested in Illinois.
What contaminants are in White Hall's water?
Lead was measured at 4.8 ppb (90th percentile). 49 violations are on record.
How is White Hall'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 White Hall?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does White Hall's water come from?
White Hall's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,313 residents.
What health violations has White Hall's water system had?
White Hall has 12 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 16 violations remain unresolved.
Is White Hall's groundwater at risk of contamination?
White Hall 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 49 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 White Hall's water compare to other cities?
White Hall ranks #765 out of 882 cities in Illinois (better than 13% of state cities) and #11238 out of 15382 cities nationally (27th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does White Hall's small water system affect quality?
White Hall's system serves approximately 2,313 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 49 violations on record.