Arsenic Contamination

Arsenic in Illinois Drinking Water

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

152

Cities Tested

152

Has Violations

100%

% Has Violations

4.5 violations

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

695

Health Violations

Analysis

Arsenic in Illinois: what the data shows

Illinois has 152 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 152 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%

152 of 152 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

5489 of 5489 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	Colona	27 violations	Yes	27	C+
5	Grand Ridge	27 violations	Yes	26	B+
6	Chrisman	21 violations	Yes	36	F
7	Carlock	21 violations	Yes	24	A-
8	Congerville	19 violations	Yes	21	B
9	Waterman	18 violations	Yes	17	A-
10	Rossville	16 violations	Yes	15	A-
11	Findlay	16 violations	Yes	21	B-
12	Mason City	15 violations	Yes	15	A
13	Tonica	14 violations	Yes	16	A
14	Waynesville	14 violations	Yes	25	C+
15	Ashkum	13 violations	Yes	11	C+
16	Blue Island	12 violations	Yes	19	C
17	Lawrencville	11 violations	Yes	17	B
18	Secor	11 violations	Yes	12	D
19	Macomb	9 violations	Yes	39	D
20	Maroa	9 violations	Yes	10	A-
21	Watseka	8 violations	Yes	9	A-
22	Bloomington	6 violations	Yes	21	F
23	Wheaton	6 violations	Yes	2	B-
24	Marion	6 violations	Yes	29	D
25	Momence	6 violations	Yes	11	D+
26	Dixon	5 violations	Yes	57	C
27	Park City	5 violations	Yes	10	B
28	Atlanta	5 violations	Yes	8	B+
29	Ridgway	5 violations	Yes	7	B+
30	Joliet	4 violations	Yes	131	F
31	Northbrook	4 violations	Yes	55	D
32	Plainfield	3 violations	Yes	23	B-
33	Galena	3 violations	Yes	17	D+
34	Valrico	3 violations	Yes	4	C+
35	Mclean	3 violations	Yes	3	A-
36	Chicago	2 violations	Yes	68	F
37	Lombard	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
38	Darien	2 violations	Yes	6	C+
39	Mundelein	2 violations	Yes	22	F
40	Freeport	2 violations	Yes	19	B-
41	Oak Brook	2 violations	Yes	8	D
42	Antioch	2 violations	Yes	6	C-
43	Pontiac	2 violations	Yes	10	C
44	Richton Park	2 violations	Yes	5	F
45	Crete	2 violations	Yes	4	B
46	Clinton	2 violations	Yes	18	B+
47	Joppa	2 violations	Yes	3	B+
48	Coal City	2 violations	Yes	40	D
49	Wonder Lake	2 violations	Yes	6	C+
50	Monee	2 violations	Yes	2	B
51	Dwight	2 violations	Yes	8	B+
52	Metamora	2 violations	Yes	10	C
53	Tampa	2 violations	Yes	8	B+
54	Le Roy	2 violations	Yes	12	D
55	Capron	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
56	Nauvoo	2 violations	Yes	20	B+
57	Rockford	1 violations	Yes	43	F
58	Peoria	1 violations	Yes	5	D+
59	Kankakee	1 violations	Yes	40	F
60	Schaumburg	1 violations	Yes	17	B+
61	Skokie	1 violations	Yes	9	C-
62	Godfrey	1 violations	Yes	22	C+
63	Quincy	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
64	Crystal Lake	1 violations	Yes	4	A-
65	Mchenry	1 violations	Yes	57	F
66	Hanover Park	1 violations	Yes	3	A
67	Dieterich	1 violations	Yes	7	F
68	East Peoria	1 violations	Yes	133	F
69	Mattoon	1 violations	Yes	14	B-
70	Wilmette	1 violations	Yes	0	A
71	Zion	1 violations	Yes	1	B
72	Jacksonville	1 violations	Yes	28	B-
73	Nashville	1 violations	Yes	27	C-
74	Weston	1 violations	Yes	6	A
75	Crest Hill	1 violations	Yes	12	F
76	Lincoln	1 violations	Yes	8	F
77	Canton	1 violations	Yes	7	B+
78	Manhattan	1 violations	Yes	21	C+
79	Morris	1 violations	Yes	74	F
80	Lindenhurst	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
81	Taylorville	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
82	Harrisburg	1 violations	Yes	2	C+
83	Winnetka	1 violations	Yes	0	A
84	Fox Lake	1 violations	Yes	5	C+
85	Carlinville	1 violations	Yes	74	D
86	Harvard	1 violations	Yes	3	A
87	Silvis	1 violations	Yes	14	F
88	Eldorado	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
89	West Dundee	1 violations	Yes	7	A
90	Mount Carmel	1 violations	Yes	11	B
91	Milan	1 violations	Yes	28	D
92	Litchfield	1 violations	Yes	5	D+
93	Metropolis	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
94	Lake Bluff	1 violations	Yes	18	C+
95	Beardstown	1 violations	Yes	1	A
96	Wilmington	1 violations	Yes	10	C+
97	Staunton	1 violations	Yes	21	C+
98	Hardin	1 violations	Yes	4	A-
99	Marseilles	1 violations	Yes	116	D
100	Fox River Grove	1 violations	Yes	10	B
101	Coal Valley	1 violations	Yes	12	F
102	Breese	1 violations	Yes	0	C+
103	Aviston	1 violations	Yes	42	C-
104	Smithton	1 violations	Yes	7	B
105	Red Bud	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
106	Gillespie	1 violations	Yes	14	C+
107	Marquette Heights	1 violations	Yes	0	A
108	Menard	1 violations	Yes	1	F
109	Farmington	1 violations	Yes	24	A-
110	White Hall	1 violations	Yes	12	C+
111	Altamont	1 violations	Yes	6	A-
112	Prophetstown	1 violations	Yes	2	B
113	Carrier Mills	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
114	Windsor	1 violations	Yes	11	C-
115	Long Grove	1 violations	Yes	51	C-
116	Neoga	1 violations	Yes	32	B+
117	Grayville	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
118	Warsaw	1 violations	Yes	12	A-
119	Kincaid	1 violations	Yes	4	B+
120	Murrayville	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
121	Malta	1 violations	Yes	18	D
122	Apopka	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
123	Ashland	1 violations	Yes	10	A-
124	Johnsburg	1 violations	Yes	5	B-
125	Hanna City	1 violations	Yes	6	A
126	Downs	1 violations	Yes	8	B
127	Waverly	1 violations	Yes	22	A
128	Brimfield	1 violations	Yes	6	A-
129	Royalton	1 violations	Yes	0	B
130	Tower Hill	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
131	Chebanse	1 violations	Yes	6	B+
132	Valrico	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
133	Raymond	1 violations	Yes	0	A+
134	Goodfield	1 violations	Yes	6	A-
135	Argenta	1 violations	Yes	0	B
136	Shabbona	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
137	Alexis	1 violations	Yes	3	B+
138	Sheffield	1 violations	Yes	2	A
139	Pearl City	1 violations	Yes	0	D
140	Alhambra	1 violations	Yes	1	A
141	Bluffs	1 violations	Yes	0	A+
142	Oakland	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
143	Vermont	1 violations	Yes	24	D
144	Shipman	1 violations	Yes	15	A-
145	Coffeen	1 violations	Yes	7	B
146	Deer Creek	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
147	Golconda	1 violations	Yes	6	B+
148	St Libory	1 violations	Yes	0	A
149	Keyesport	1 violations	Yes	9	A-
150	Pembroke	1 violations	Yes	0	B-
151	Blandinsville	1 violations	Yes	6	A
152	Industry	1 violations	Yes	2	A-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about arsenic in Illinois

Is arsenic in Illinois tap water a concern?

Yes — 152 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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