Is Whittington, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
89.5/100
waterverge.com Whittington, IL — Water Quality Report
Whittington's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,393 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 7 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Whittington's water
Whittington ranks #174 out of 891 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it above 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, Whittington may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Whittington, IL water safe to drink?
Whittington's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (89.5/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,393 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Whittington
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Whittington's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (89.5/100).
Contaminants: TTHM.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3230). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
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 Whittington's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Whittington's water system has 7 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Franklin 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 Big Muddy River Below Rend Lake Nr Benton.
Where does Whittington's water come from?
Whittington's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,393 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Big Muddy River Below Rend Lake Nr Benton (river).
What Whittington 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
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtFranklin County is currently in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Franklin 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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Whittington compares by contaminant
Explore where Whittington ranks among all Illinois cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Whittington's water comes from
Whittington'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 2,393 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Whittington
Whittington is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Whittington
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| EWING-INA WATER COMMISSION | IL0555350 | 2,393 | SWP |
How Whittington compares
Full Illinois rankings →Whittington's score of 89.5/100 is above the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Illinois rankings →About Whittington, IL
Wikipedia →Whittington is an unincorporated community in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. Whittington is located near the eastern shore of Rend Lake and Exit 77 of Interstate 57. It is the site of the headquarters of Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area. Whittington has a post office with ZIP code 62897.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Whittington's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Franklin
Frequently asked questions
Is Whittington, IL tap water safe to drink?
Whittington's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #174 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.
What contaminants are in Whittington's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 7 violations are on record.
How is Whittington'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 Whittington?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Whittington's water come from?
Whittington's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,393 residents.
How does Whittington's water compare to other cities?
Whittington ranks #174 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 80% of state cities) and #2792 out of 15744 cities nationally (82th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Whittington's small water system affect quality?
Whittington's system serves approximately 2,393 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 7 violations on record.