Water Quality in Springfield, IL: 116 Violations - Grade N/A
15 water systems · 8 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 116 violations across 8 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Springfield. 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 Springfield
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62712 | 80 | 4 | View report → |
| 62702 | 25 | 1 | View report → |
| 62707 | 20 | 1 | View report → |
| 62704 | 15 | 0 | View report → |
| 62711 | 15 | 0 | View report → |
| 62703 | 5 | 0 | View report → |
| 62701 | 3 | 0 | View report → |
| 62706 | 3 | 0 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Springfield.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 | 4 |
Water Quality Overview
Springfield, Illinois has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 8 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 116 violations, including 5 health-based violations across 8 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Springfield water systems is 0.0000 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 8 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 66% of homes built before 1986, Springfield has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Springfield
Springfield is served by 15 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 137,953 people across 38 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 74 enforcement actions against water systems serving Springfield. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Springfield
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 Springfield Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Springfield's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 18 | 8 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 17 | 8 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 15 | 5 | No |
| Benzene | Organic | 0.005 mg/L | 10 | 8 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 5 | 3 | Yes |
| Atrazine | Organic | 0.003 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 50 pCi/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Springfield:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 | 4 |
Violations have increased from 1 in 2023 to 4 in 2024. This trend warrants monitoring.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 29 enforcement actions against water systems serving Springfield. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-03-26 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-03-16 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-03-12 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-03-12 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2026-01-09 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-12-30 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-12-30 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-12-26 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-12-24 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-12-17 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-03-26.
Springfield vs. Nearby Illinois Cities
How Springfield's water quality compares to similar cities in Illinois:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | 8 | 116 | 15 | 137,953 |
| Joliet | 5 | 161 | 13 | 130,147 |
| Peoria | 9 | 12 | 8 | 127,011 |
| Elgin | 3 | 34 | 9 | 123,995 |
Recommended Water Filters for Springfield
Based on contaminants detected in Springfield's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
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 Springfield
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Springfield's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 62712 | 80 | 4 |
| 62702 | 25 | 1 |
| 62707 | 20 | 1 |
| 62704 | 15 | 0 |
| 62711 | 15 | 0 |
| 62703 | 5 | 0 |
| 62701 | 3 | 0 |
| 62706 | 3 | 0 |
Common Questions About Springfield Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Springfield, Illinois:
Is Springfield water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Springfield's 15 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Springfield tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 5 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Springfield? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, whole-house poe) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Springfield vs. Illinois Average
Understanding how Springfield 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 Springfield.
ZIP Codes in Springfield
Springfield spans 38 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 8 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.