Ottawa
EPA ID: IL0990800 · 18,097 people served · 4 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA records for Ottawa (IL0990800): 1 violation recorded with unresolved status in the SDWIS data used. Federal data lists 1 violation as unresolved at Ottawa - roughly 18,097 residents in the service area.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Ottawa Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Demographics of ZIP Codes Served
The ZIP codes associated with Ottawa have a median household income of $81,910 and about 37,068 residents live in those ZIP codes (Census; not the number of people this system supplies). Approximately 56% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Ottawa's water is classified in EPA records as a groundwater source. 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.
Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 80th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.
Infrastructure Risk
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Illinois
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
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.
System Overview
Ottawa (EPA ID: IL0990800) is a community water system in Illinois that serves approximately 18,097 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 9 resolved, 0 archived, 0 addressed, and 1 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2025 | TTHM | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2025 | Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| July 2, 2025 | LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | Non-health-based | Unaddressed (current) |
| July 1, 2023 | Combined Radium (-226 and -228) | Health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | TTHM | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2022 | Combined Radium (-226 and -228) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2022 | Combined Radium (-226 and -228) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2022 | TTHM | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2022 | Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring & Reporting | 3 | No |
| TTHM | Monitoring & Reporting | 3 | No |
| Combined Radium (-226 and -228) | MCL Violation, Monitoring & Reporting | 3 | Yes |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | Monitoring & Reporting | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| Below the reporting limit | No | 2025-12-31 |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Ask your water utility whether running cold water for 2 minutes is enough to flush your plumbing before drinking.
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 available EPA compliance records for Ottawa (IL0990800) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ottawa water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows 1 current noncompliance record and zero current records classified as health-based. That classification is not a property-specific water test or safety guarantee.
How many people does Ottawa serve?
Ottawa serves approximately 18,097 people across 4 ZIP codes in Illinois.
Where does Ottawa get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: No PFAS Reported Above Reporting Levels
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were reported above UCMR5 minimum reporting levels.
EPA's April 2024 PFAS rule sets MCLs of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS and 10 ppt for PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA (GenX); water systems must comply from 2029. Other PFAS compounds have no individual federal MCL. A state standard is shown only where this system's state has its own enforceable PFAS limit. Detection results are EPA UCMR5 samples, not a measurement at your tap.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
- #23 / 50 Highest Exposure Burden (Illinois)
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Ottawa (IL): 1 Health Violation. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/il0990800/
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author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Ottawa (IL): 1 Health Violation}},
year = {n.d.},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/il0990800/}
}
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Ottawa (EPA ID: IL0990800) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.