Monitoring Violations IL

Genoa

EPA ID: IL0370150 · 5,298 people served · 5 ZIP codes

Federal compliance records for Genoa list 1 open violation that have not yet been resolved — the utility serves approximately 5,298 people, and each outstanding finding remains logged and active in the EPA enforcement database.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 56
Avg Safety Score
5,298
People Served
5
ZIP Codes Served
1
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.01 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
1
Contaminants Flagged
$259K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 1 (2022) to 3 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Genoa Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$88,750
Median Household Income
65,251
Service Area Population
14%
Disadvantaged Population
32th
Poverty Percentile
32th
Energy Burden Percentile
48%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Genoa serves a community with a median household income of $88,750 and an estimated 65,251 residents across its service area. Approximately 48% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Genoa's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
42th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
42th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in DeKalb County, Illinois rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

40 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
29 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 58% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Genoa compares to EPA limits

Copper 1 mg/L (77% of limit)
0 EPA Limit: 1.3 mg/L

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 3 detections recorded.

State limits: PFOA: 0.002 ppt, PFOS: 0.014 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Illinois

Sangamon Valley Pwd
5,300 people
0 violations
Pike County Pwd 1
5,327 people
0 violations
Posen
5,331 people
C 2 violations
Highwood
5,335 people
D 1 violation
Mitchell Pwd
5,253 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,440
Radon Mitigation $1,040
PFAS Treatment $200
Water Filtration $60
Total Estimated Cost $2,740

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,665
10 years
$5,330
20 years
$10,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,740 (one-time) vs. $5,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Genoa (EPA ID: IL0370150) is a community water system in Illinois that serves approximately 5,298 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 5 ZIP codes across 5 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (56/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

1 monitoring/reporting violation recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2025 Copper Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Copper Inorganic 1 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
60135 0.01 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by IL or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Genoa (IL0370150) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Genoa water safe to drink?

Genoa has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Genoa serve?

Genoa serves approximately 5,298 people across 5 ZIP codes in Illinois.

Where does Genoa get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Minimal — disinfection only
Disinfection (typically chlorine) without additional filtration or coagulation stages. Common for groundwater systems where source water meets federal standards after disinfection alone.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
Chlorine

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from GENOA Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
174
Detections
3
Latest sample
9/9/2025
Highest analyte
PFPeA: 5.2 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFPeA 5.2 ppt
PFHxA 3 ppt

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

175
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
18
Unknown Material
1,868
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2025-07-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 5,298
Reported to Illinois

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Genoa safe to drink?
Genoa has a C safety grade based on 1 recorded violation. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Genoa's water?
Detected contaminants include Copper. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 recorded violation, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Genoa serve?
Genoa serves approximately 5,298 people with drinking water across 5 ZIP codes.
What is Genoa's water source?
Genoa draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Genoa's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.01 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Genoa's service area?
The Genoa service area has a median household income of $88,750. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Genoa get its water?
Genoa's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Genoa (EPA ID: IL0370150) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems Illinois Genoa

Get safety alerts for Genoa, Illinois

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Violations found — check filter options Free tool — no phone call required.