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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 radium for Illinois water systems — Six-Year Review compliance samples 2012–2019 (historical). Methodology
These cities have radium levels above 50% of the EPA limit but within compliance
Every Illinois system with a radium 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OswegoGrade B | 2.83 pCi/LAverage of 60 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 56.6% | Warning |
| JolietGrade D | 2.76 pCi/LAverage of 116 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 55.2% | Warning |
| RockfordGrade C | 2.52 pCi/LAverage of 96 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 50.5% | Warning |
| Hanover ParkGrade A | 2.09 pCi/LAverage of 4 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 41.9% | Safe |
| St. CharlesGrade B | 2.07 pCi/LAverage of 13 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 41.4% | Safe |
| DeKalbGrade C | 1.74 pCi/LAverage of 39 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 34.8% | Safe |
| RomeovilleGrade B | 1.41 pCi/LAverage of 36 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 28.2% | Safe |
| Crystal LakeGrade B | 1.33 pCi/LAverage of 28 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 26.7% | Safe |
| AlgonquinGrade A | 1.30 pCi/LAverage of 10 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 26.0% | Safe |
| MolineGrade A | 1.26 pCi/LAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 25.3% | Safe |
| GalesburgGrade C | 1.24 pCi/LAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 24.8% | Safe |
| ChampaignGrade A | 1.08 pCi/LAverage of 4 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 21.6% | Safe |
| BloomingtonGrade A | 1.07 pCi/LAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 21.5% | Safe |
| NormalGrade A | 0.996 pCi/LAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 19.9% | Safe |
| EvanstonGrade A | 0.990 pCi/LAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 19.8% | Safe |
| PeoriaGrade B | 0.966 pCi/LAverage of 5 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 19.3% | Safe |
| ChicagoGrade B | 0.670 pCi/LAverage of 2 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 13.4% | Safe |
| CarpentersvilleGrade A | 0.420 pCi/LAverage of 6 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 8.4% | Safe |
| ElginGrade D | 0.385 pCi/LAverage of 2 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 7.7% | Safe |
| WaukeganGrade A | 0 pCi/LAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| Rock IslandGrade A | 0 pCi/LAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| North ChicagoGrade C | 0 pCi/LAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 0.0% | Safe |
Radium is a radioactive element that accumulates in bones and can cause bone cancer. Long-term exposure increases risk of bone cancer and may also increase risk of leukemia. Radium behaves similarly to calcium, so it deposits in bones and teeth where it continues to emit radiation, damaging bone marrow.
Erosion of natural deposits; found naturally in groundwater, especially in certain geologic formations
Based on our analysis of EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) data and local water utility reports,radium has been detected in 22 Illinois water systems. The average level across all tested cities is 25% of the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), with the highest detection at 56.6% of the limit.
The EPA MCL for combined radium-226 and radium-228 is 5 pCi/L. The EPA MCL for radium is 5 pCi/L. This limit is set to protect public health based on available scientific evidence about the contaminant's health effects.
22 Illinois cities have radium detected in their water supply. All tested cities are within EPA safety limits.
Increased risk of bone cancer and leukemia from long-term exposure. The most vulnerable groups include growing children and pregnant women.
The most effective methods for removing radium include Ion Exchange (Water Softening), Reverse Osmosis, Lime Softening. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI for radium reduction.
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for radium is 5 pCi/L.The EPA MCL for combined radium-226 and radium-228 is 5 pCi/L.
This page shows what Illinois utilities reported for radium. 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 radium removal:
Very effective for radium
Removes 90-95% of radium
Used in municipal treatment
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 radium.