Arsenic Contamination

Arsenic in Illinois Drinking Water

Ranked by arsenic violation count · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

147

Cities Tested

147

Has Violations

100%

% Has Violations

4.2 violations

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

687

Health Violations

Analysis

Arsenic in Illinois: what the data shows

Illinois has 147 cities with arsenic-related violations on record. Arsenic contamination is a federal MCL violation at levels above 10 µg/L (10 ppb). The state has 147 cities with at least one arsenic violation. Arsenic enters drinking water primarily through erosion of natural deposits, particularly in western states with arsenite-bearing geology. Industrial sources include mining runoff, glass manufacturing, and semiconductor production. Groundwater systems are significantly more likely to have arsenic issues than surface water systems. Long-term arsenic exposure above the MCL increases the risk of bladder, lung, and skin cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Reverse osmosis and specialized arsenic-removal media are the most effective point-of-use treatment options.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 10 µg/L EPA MCL

Illinois

100%

147 of 147 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

5270 of 5270 cities

City Map

Arsenic data across Illinois

Each dot is a city with arsenic violation data. Cities with at least one arsenic-related violation are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by arsenic level in Illinois

Highest Arsenic levels (violations)

All Cities

All Illinois cities ranked by arsenic level

#	City	Level	Violations?	Violations	Grade
1	Geneseo	108 violations	Yes	124	F
2	Rantoul	45 violations	Yes	54	D
3	Danvers	42 violations	Yes	48	B-
4	Grand Ridge	27 violations	Yes	26	B+
5	Chrisman	21 violations	Yes	36	F
6	Carlock	21 violations	Yes	24	A-
7	Waterman	18 violations	Yes	17	A-
8	Rossville	16 violations	Yes	15	A-
9	Findlay	16 violations	Yes	21	B-
10	Mason City	15 violations	Yes	15	A
11	Tonica	14 violations	Yes	16	A
12	Waynesville	14 violations	Yes	25	C+
13	Ashkum	13 violations	Yes	11	C+
14	Blue Island	12 violations	Yes	19	C
15	Lawrencville	11 violations	Yes	17	B
16	Macomb	9 violations	Yes	39	D
17	Maroa	9 violations	Yes	10	A-
18	Watseka	8 violations	Yes	9	A-
19	Bloomington	6 violations	Yes	21	F
20	Wheaton	6 violations	Yes	2	B-
21	Marion	6 violations	Yes	29	D
22	Momence	6 violations	Yes	11	D+
23	Dixon	5 violations	Yes	57	C
24	Park City	5 violations	Yes	10	B
25	Atlanta	5 violations	Yes	8	B+
26	Ridgway	5 violations	Yes	7	B+
27	Joliet	4 violations	Yes	131	F
28	Northbrook	4 violations	Yes	55	D
29	Plainfield	3 violations	Yes	23	B-
30	Galena	3 violations	Yes	17	D+
31	Valrico	3 violations	Yes	4	C+
32	Mclean	3 violations	Yes	3	A-
33	Chicago	2 violations	Yes	68	F
34	Lombard	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
35	Darien	2 violations	Yes	6	C+
36	Mundelein	2 violations	Yes	22	F
37	Freeport	2 violations	Yes	19	B-
38	Antioch	2 violations	Yes	6	C-
39	Oak Brook	2 violations	Yes	8	D
40	Richton Park	2 violations	Yes	5	F
41	Crete	2 violations	Yes	4	B
42	Clinton	2 violations	Yes	18	B+
43	Coal City	2 violations	Yes	40	D
44	Wonder Lake	2 violations	Yes	6	C+
45	Monee	2 violations	Yes	2	B
46	Dwight	2 violations	Yes	8	B+
47	Metamora	2 violations	Yes	10	C
48	Le Roy	2 violations	Yes	12	D
49	Tampa	2 violations	Yes	8	B+
50	Pontiac	2 violations	Yes	10	C
51	Capron	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
52	Nauvoo	2 violations	Yes	20	B+
53	Rockford	1 violations	Yes	43	F
54	Kankakee	1 violations	Yes	40	F
55	Schaumburg	1 violations	Yes	17	B+
56	Skokie	1 violations	Yes	9	C-
57	Godfrey	1 violations	Yes	22	C+
58	Quincy	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
59	Crystal Lake	1 violations	Yes	4	A-
60	Mchenry	1 violations	Yes	57	F
61	Hanover Park	1 violations	Yes	3	A
62	Dieterich	1 violations	Yes	7	F
63	East Peoria	1 violations	Yes	133	F
64	Mattoon	1 violations	Yes	14	B-
65	Wilmette	1 violations	Yes	0	A
66	Zion	1 violations	Yes	1	B
67	Jacksonville	1 violations	Yes	28	B-
68	Nashville	1 violations	Yes	27	C-
69	Weston	1 violations	Yes	6	A
70	Crest Hill	1 violations	Yes	12	F
71	Canton	1 violations	Yes	7	B+
72	Morris	1 violations	Yes	74	F
73	Lindenhurst	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
74	Taylorville	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
75	Harrisburg	1 violations	Yes	2	C+
76	Winnetka	1 violations	Yes	0	A
77	Carlinville	1 violations	Yes	74	D
78	Manhattan	1 violations	Yes	21	C+
79	Harvard	1 violations	Yes	3	A
80	Silvis	1 violations	Yes	14	F
81	Eldorado	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
82	West Dundee	1 violations	Yes	7	A
83	Mount Carmel	1 violations	Yes	11	B
84	Litchfield	1 violations	Yes	5	D+
85	Milan	1 violations	Yes	28	D
86	Metropolis	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
87	Beardstown	1 violations	Yes	1	A
88	Lake Bluff	1 violations	Yes	18	C+
89	Peoria	1 violations	Yes	5	C-
90	Staunton	1 violations	Yes	21	C+
91	Wilmington	1 violations	Yes	10	C+
92	Marseilles	1 violations	Yes	116	D
93	Fox River Grove	1 violations	Yes	10	B
94	Breese	1 violations	Yes	0	C+
95	Aviston	1 violations	Yes	42	C-
96	Coal Valley	1 violations	Yes	12	F
97	Hardin	1 violations	Yes	4	A-
98	Smithton	1 violations	Yes	7	B
99	Red Bud	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
100	Gillespie	1 violations	Yes	14	C+
101	Marquette Heights	1 violations	Yes	0	A
102	Menard	1 violations	Yes	1	F
103	Lincoln	1 violations	Yes	8	F
104	Farmington	1 violations	Yes	24	A-
105	White Hall	1 violations	Yes	12	C+
106	Altamont	1 violations	Yes	6	A-
107	Prophetstown	1 violations	Yes	2	B
108	Carrier Mills	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
109	Neoga	1 violations	Yes	32	B+
110	Grayville	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
111	Warsaw	1 violations	Yes	12	A-
112	Kincaid	1 violations	Yes	4	B+
113	Murrayville	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
114	Malta	1 violations	Yes	18	D
115	Apopka	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
116	Ashland	1 violations	Yes	10	A-
117	Johnsburg	1 violations	Yes	5	B-
118	Hanna City	1 violations	Yes	6	A
119	Downs	1 violations	Yes	8	B
120	Windsor	1 violations	Yes	11	C-
121	Waverly	1 violations	Yes	22	A
122	Brimfield	1 violations	Yes	6	A-
123	Royalton	1 violations	Yes	0	B
124	Chebanse	1 violations	Yes	6	B+
125	Valrico	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
126	Raymond	1 violations	Yes	0	A+
127	Goodfield	1 violations	Yes	6	A-
128	Argenta	1 violations	Yes	0	B
129	Shabbona	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
130	Alexis	1 violations	Yes	3	B+
131	Sheffield	1 violations	Yes	2	A
132	Long Grove	1 violations	Yes	51	C-
133	Pearl City	1 violations	Yes	0	D
134	Alhambra	1 violations	Yes	1	A
135	Bluffs	1 violations	Yes	0	A+
136	Oakland	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
137	Vermont	1 violations	Yes	24	D
138	Shipman	1 violations	Yes	15	A-
139	Coffeen	1 violations	Yes	7	B
140	Deer Creek	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
141	Golconda	1 violations	Yes	6	B+
142	St Libory	1 violations	Yes	0	A
143	Keyesport	1 violations	Yes	9	A-
144	Pembroke	1 violations	Yes	0	B-
145	Blandinsville	1 violations	Yes	6	A
146	Industry	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
147	Tower Hill	1 violations	Yes	1	B+

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about arsenic in Illinois

Is arsenic in Illinois tap water a concern?

Yes — 147 cities in Illinois have arsenic-related violations on record. The EPA MCL for arsenic is 10 µg/L. Even at levels below the MCL, long-term arsenic exposure has been linked to cancer and cardiovascular disease.

How can I remove arsenic from my drinking water in Illinois?

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective at removing arsenic, typically reducing it by 90% or more. Specialized arsenic-removal media (such as iron-based adsorption filters) are also highly effective. Standard carbon filters and pitcher filters do NOT effectively remove arsenic. If your water comes from a private well, have it tested for arsenic.

Where does arsenic in Illinois water come from?

Arsenic enters drinking water primarily through natural erosion of arsenic-bearing rock formations. It is most common in groundwater systems in the western United States, parts of the Midwest, and New England. Industrial sources include mining, smelting, and agricultural pesticide residues. Groundwater sources are far more likely to contain arsenic than surface water.

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