Monitoring Violations IL

Rock City

EPA ID: IL1770500 · 313 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Looking at the EPA enforcement file for Rock City, 1 violation are listed as unresolved — those findings cover the utility's service area of approximately 313 people and remain open in the federal compliance system, awaiting formal corrective action documentation.

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

F · 31
Avg Safety Score
313
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
2
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.01695 mg/L
Max Lead Level — Exceeds Limit
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
2
Contaminants Flagged
$200K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Rock City Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade F

Service Area Demographics

$91,804
Median Household Income
4,666
Service Area Population
31%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
69%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Rock City serves a community with a median household income of $91,804 and an estimated 4,666 residents across its service area. Approximately 69% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 31% 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

Rock City'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.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
60th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Stephenson 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 60th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

Infrastructure Risk

56 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
15 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 79% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Rock City compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Stage 1 DBP 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.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Illinois

LEE
313 people
C 4 violations
0 violations
0 violations
Arrowsmith
315 people
C 0 violations
Mount Clare
311 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Lead Pipe Replacement Radon Mitigation
Lead Pipe Replacement $2,550
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Total Estimated Cost $3,750

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.)

Lead Exposure — Child Lifetime Cost $10,000

Per affected child (EPA est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,280
10 years
$10,560
20 years
$21,120

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,750 (one-time) vs. $10,560 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

Rock City (EPA ID: IL1770500) is a community water system in Illinois that serves approximately 313 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: F (31/100)

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

Violation History

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

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2023 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment 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
61070 0.01695 mg/L Yes N/A
Lead exceeds EPA action level in at least one sampling location. Consider using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 filter rated for lead removal.

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 Rock City (IL1770500) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rock City water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Rock City serve?

Rock City serves approximately 313 people across 2 ZIP codes in Illinois.

Where does Rock City 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:

5
Confirmed Lead
23
Galvanized — Replacement Required
10
Unknown Material
100
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: 313
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 Rock City safe to drink?
Rock City has a F safety grade based on 2 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Rock City's water?
Detected contaminants include Stage 1 DBP 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 2 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 Rock City serve?
Rock City serves approximately 313 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Rock City's water source?
Rock City draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Rock City's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.01695 mg/L. This exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. A lead-certified filter is recommended, especially for homes with young children.
What is the demographic profile of Rock City's service area?
The Rock City service area has a median household income of $91,804. EPA EJScreen data classifies 31% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Rock City get its water?
Rock City'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 available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.

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

Rock City (EPA ID: IL1770500) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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