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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Real EPA measurements of arsenic for Illinois water systems — Six-Year Review compliance samples 2012–2019 (historical). Methodology
Every Illinois system with a arsenic result in EPA's data, sorted by level. Averages of 2012–2019 finished-water samples, non-detects counted as zero — historical, not today's tap.
| City | Level | Period | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NormalGrade A | 1.00 ug/LAverage of 3 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 10.0% | Safe |
| ChampaignGrade A | 0.875 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 8.8% | Safe |
| RockfordGrade C | 0.740 ug/LAverage of 60 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 7.4% | Safe |
| DeKalbGrade C | 0.697 ug/LAverage of 15 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 7.0% | Safe |
| BloomingtonGrade A | 0.613 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 6.1% | Safe |
| North ChicagoGrade C | 0.537 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 5.4% | Safe |
| CarpentersvilleGrade A | 0.500 ug/LAverage of 3 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 5.0% | Safe |
| SpringfieldGrade A | 0.495 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 4.9% | Safe |
| Hanover ParkGrade A | 0.464 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 4.6% | Safe |
| GalesburgGrade C | 0.367 ug/LAverage of 3 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 3.7% | Safe |
| ElginGrade D | 0.360 ug/LAverage of 10 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 3.6% | Safe |
| DecaturGrade A | 0.350 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 3.5% | Safe |
| WaukeganGrade A | 0.300 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 3.0% | Safe |
| Rock IslandGrade A | 0.300 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 3.0% | Safe |
| Granite CityGrade A | 0.250 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 2.5% | Safe |
| RomeovilleGrade B | 0.217 ug/LAverage of 15 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 2.2% | Safe |
| PeoriaGrade B | 0.190 ug/LAverage of 21 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 1.9% | Safe |
| ChicagoGrade B | 0.155 ug/LAverage of 16 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 1.6% | Safe |
| QuincyGrade A | 0.163 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 1.6% | Safe |
| St. CharlesGrade B | 0.156 ug/LAverage of 18 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 1.6% | Safe |
| AlgonquinGrade A | 0.122 ug/LAverage of 9 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 1.2% | Safe |
| JolietGrade D | 0.019 ug/LAverage of 32 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 0.2% | Safe |
| AuroraGrade D | 0 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| EvanstonGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| MolineGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
Showing 25 of 27 cities. View individual city pages for detailed reports.
Arsenic is a known human carcinogen linked to cancers of the skin, bladder, lung, kidney, and liver. Long-term exposure can cause skin damage including color changes and lesions. Arsenic exposure is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurological effects. Studies have shown links between arsenic exposure and developmental effects in children, including reduced IQ and learning disabilities.
Erosion of natural deposits in the earth; runoff from orchards; discharge from glass and petroleum refineries
Based on our analysis of EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) data and local water utility reports,arsenic has been detected in 27 Illinois water systems. The average level across all tested cities is 3% of the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), with the highest detection at 10.0% of the limit.
The EPA set the arsenic MCL at 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) in 2001. The EPA MCL for arsenic is 0.01 mg/L. This limit is set to protect public health based on available scientific evidence about the contaminant's health effects.
27 Illinois cities have arsenic detected in their water supply. All tested cities are within EPA safety limits.
Increased cancer risk (skin, bladder, lung), skin damage, cardiovascular disease, diabetes. The most vulnerable groups include children and people with cardiovascular conditions.
The most effective methods for removing arsenic include Reverse Osmosis, Adsorption Media (Iron-Based), Distillation. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI for arsenic reduction.
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for arsenic is 0.01 mg/L.The EPA set the arsenic MCL at 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) in 2001.
This page shows what Illinois utilities reported for arsenic. It cannot tell you what is coming out of your own tap: utility samples are taken across a whole system and averaged, levels vary by address and season, and anything picked up after the water leaves the main never appears in their report.
Home water test kitscheck your own tap before buying any filterRecommended filtration methods for arsenic removal:
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Paid links. We earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Filters are matched to the removal methods listed above for arsenic.