Health Violations Found IL 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Orion

EPA ID: IL0730700 · 1,754 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Looking at the EPA enforcement file for Orion, 7 violations are listed as unresolved — those findings cover the utility's service area of approximately 1,754 people and remain open in the federal compliance system, awaiting formal corrective action documentation.

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

C · 66
Avg Safety Score
1,754
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
10
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0046 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
5
Contaminants Flagged
$231K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$103,438
Median Household Income
10,156
Service Area Population
32%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
53th
Energy Burden Percentile
71%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Orion serves a community with a median household income of $103,438 and an estimated 10,156 residents across its service area. Approximately 71% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 32% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Orion'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
63th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
23th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Rock Island County, Illinois rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 63th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

Infrastructure Risk

56 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
13 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 81% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Orion compares to EPA limits

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead and Copper Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Illinois

Roodhouse
1,753 people
C 7 violations
Bunker Hill
1,760 people
B 2 violations
B 3 violations
Delavan
1,743 people
D 3 violations
Grantfork
1,766 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Lead Pipe Replacement Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration
Lead Pipe Replacement $1,380
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,000
Water Filtration $100
Total Estimated Cost $3,680

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 $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,000
10 years
$10,000
20 years
$20,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,680 (one-time) vs. $10,000 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

Orion (EPA ID: IL0730700) is a community water system in Illinois that serves approximately 1,754 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (66/100)

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

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 7 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
August 22, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 2, 2025 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Unresolved
October 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2023 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 4 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 Yes
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 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
61273 0.0046 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 Orion (IL0730700) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Orion water safe to drink?

Orion has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Orion serve?

Orion serves approximately 1,754 people across 3 ZIP codes in Illinois.

Where does Orion 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 ORION 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.

Lead Service Line Inventory

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

6
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
145
Unknown Material
640
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.
Reporting compliance issue flagged by EPA under Rule 2E.
Population served: 1,754
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 Orion safe to drink?
Orion has a C safety grade based on 10 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Orion's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Surface Water Treatment Rule, Stage 1 DBP Rule, Stage 2 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 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 Orion serve?
Orion serves approximately 1,754 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Orion's water source?
Orion draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Orion's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0046 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Orion's service area?
The Orion service area has a median household income of $103,438. EPA EJScreen data classifies 32% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Orion get its water?
Orion'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

Orion (EPA ID: IL0730700) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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