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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 chromium for Illinois water systems — Six-Year Review compliance samples 2012–2019 (historical). Methodology
Every Illinois system with a chromium 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 | 2.63 ug/LAverage of 3 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 2.6% | Safe |
| AuroraGrade D | 2.26 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 2.3% | Safe |
| St. CharlesGrade B | 1.57 ug/LAverage of 18 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 1.6% | Safe |
| RockfordGrade C | 0.100 ug/LAverage of 59 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.1% | Safe |
| EvanstonGrade A | 0.100 ug/LAverage of 9 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.1% | Safe |
| ChicagoGrade B | 0 ug/LAverage of 16 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| JolietGrade D | 0 ug/LAverage of 32 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| ChampaignGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| PeoriaGrade B | 0 ug/LAverage of 21 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| SpringfieldGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| ElginGrade D | 0 ug/LAverage of 10 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| WaukeganGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| BloomingtonGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| DecaturGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| RomeovilleGrade B | 0 ug/LAverage of 15 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| MolineGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| QuincyGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| Crystal LakeGrade B | 0 ug/LAverage of 15 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| DeKalbGrade C | 0 ug/LAverage of 15 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| Rock IslandGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| OswegoGrade B | 0 ug/LAverage of 22 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| CarpentersvilleGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 3 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| Hanover ParkGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| Granite CityGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| GalesburgGrade C | 0 ug/LAverage of 3 samples | 2012–2019 | 100.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
Showing 25 of 27 cities. View individual city pages for detailed reports.
Chromium-6 (hexavalent chromium) is a known human carcinogen when inhaled. When ingested through drinking water, chromium-6 has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Health effects include damage to the liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal and immune systems. California has proposed a specific MCL of 10 ppb for chromium-6, much lower than the federal total chromium standard.
Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits; industrial pollution
Based on our analysis of EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) data and local water utility reports,chromium has been detected in 27 Illinois water systems. The average level across all tested cities is 0% of the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), with the highest detection at 2.6% of the limit.
The EPA MCL for total chromium is 0.1 mg/L (100 ppb). The EPA MCL for chromium is 0.1 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 chromium detected in their water supply. All tested cities are within EPA safety limits.
Potential carcinogen, liver and kidney damage, gastrointestinal effects. The most vulnerable groups include children and people with kidney disease.
The most effective methods for removing chromium include Reverse Osmosis, Strong Base Anion Exchange. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI for chromium reduction.
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for chromium is 0.1 mg/L.The EPA MCL for total chromium is 0.1 mg/L (100 ppb).
This page shows what Illinois utilities reported for chromium. 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 chromium removal:
Removes both chromium-3 and chromium-6
Best for chromium-6
pH dependent
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 chromium.