Water Quality in Aurora, IL: 37 Violations - Grade N/A
12 water systems · 5 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 37 violations across 5 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Aurora. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Aurora
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60502 | 27 | 0 | View report → |
| 60503 | 23 | 0 | View report → |
| 60504 | 19 | 0 | View report → |
| 60505 | 10 | 0 | View report → |
| 60506 | 6 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Aurora, Illinois has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 5 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 37 violations (all classified as monitoring/reporting type in the available record) across 5 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Aurora water systems is 0.0039 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 5 ZIP records with known lead status.
Water Systems Serving Aurora
Aurora is served by 12 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 187,044 people across 10 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 48 enforcement actions against water systems serving Aurora. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Aurora
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Aurora Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Aurora's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atrazine | Organic | 0.003 mg/L | 7 | 4 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 7 | 3 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 5 | 3 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | N/A | 4 | 3 | No |
| Benzene | Organic | 0.005 mg/L | 3 | 3 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 3 | 3 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
| Copper | Inorganic | 1.3 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 50 pCi/L | 1 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 30 enforcement actions against water systems serving Aurora. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-03-13 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-01-16 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-01-16 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2026-01-13 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-10-07 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-08-20 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-07-03 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-06-10 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-05-27 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-04-14 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-03-13.
Aurora vs. Nearby Illinois Cities
How Aurora's water quality compares to similar cities in Illinois:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | 5 | 37 | 12 | 187,044 |
| Rockford | 9 | 31 | 9 | 178,644 |
| Naperville | 4 | 24 | 8 | 167,976 |
| Springfield | 8 | 116 | 15 | 137,953 |
Recommended Water Filters for Aurora
Based on contaminants detected in Aurora's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Reverse Osmosis (under-sink)
- Removes: Lead
- Effectiveness: 95-99%
- Cost range: $150–$500
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 58
- Recommended products:
- Waterdrop G3P800
- Aquasana AQ-5200
- Clearly Filtered Pitcher
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house or under-sink)
- Removes: Chloramines
- Effectiveness: 95-99%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 42
- Recommended products:
- Aquasana AQ-5200
- Waterdrop Chubby Pitcher
- Berkey Travel
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house POE)
- Removes: Trihalomethane (TTHM)
- Effectiveness: 80-99%
- Cost range: $400–$2000
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Aurora
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Aurora's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
Common Questions About Aurora Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Aurora, Illinois:
Is Aurora water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Aurora's 12 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Aurora tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. No health-based violations are recorded across 5 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts, but this is not a property-level safety guarantee.
What is the best water filter for Aurora? Based on detected contaminants, a reverse osmosis (under-sink) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Aurora vs. Illinois Average
Understanding how Aurora compares to the broader Illinois average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Aurora.
ZIP Codes in Aurora
Aurora spans 10 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 5 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.