Monitoring Violations IL

Oquawka

EPA ID: IL0710300 · 1,125 people served · 1 ZIP code

EPA compliance records for Oquawka show 1 unresolved violation — findings that remain open and are tracked at the federal level, covering a service territory of approximately 1,125 people.

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

C · 57
Avg Safety Score
1,125
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
3
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0032 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
3
Contaminants Flagged
$104K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$56,458
Median Household Income
1,857
Service Area Population
0%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
65%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Oquawka serves a community with a median household income of $56,458 and an estimated 1,857 residents across its service area. Approximately 65% 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

Oquawka'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
40th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
30th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 3% of homes in Henderson 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

52 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
18 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 74% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Oquawka compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Revised Total Coliform Rule at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 2 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 →

Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Illinois

Royalton
1,118 people
B 8 violations
Mounds
1,135 people
B 11 violations
Percy
1,111 people
C 4 violations
Flanagan
1,110 people
D 3 violations
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $1,800
Radon Mitigation $1,200
PFAS Treatment $500
Total Estimated Cost $3,500

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 $3,500 (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

Oquawka (EPA ID: IL0710300) is a community water system in Illinois that serves approximately 1,125 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 61469 in Oquawka.

Average Home Safety Score: C (57/100)

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

Violation History

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

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
January 1, 2024 Lead Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 1 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 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
61469 0.0032 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

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Oquawka (IL0710300) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oquawka water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Oquawka serve?

Oquawka serves approximately 1,125 people across 1 ZIP code in Illinois.

Where does Oquawka get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Lead Service Line Inventory

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

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
763
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

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 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 1,125
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 Oquawka safe to drink?
Oquawka has a C safety grade based on 3 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Oquawka's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Revised Total Coliform Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 3 contaminants above EPA limits, 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 Oquawka serve?
Oquawka serves approximately 1,125 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Oquawka's water source?
Oquawka draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Oquawka's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0032 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Oquawka's service area?
The Oquawka service area has a median household income of $56,458. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Oquawka get its water?
Oquawka'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

Oquawka (EPA ID: IL0710300) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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