Health Violations Found IL 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Albany

EPA ID: IL1950050 · 846 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Albany carries 4 open EPA violations that remain unresolved in the federal system — approximately 846 people fall within its service area.

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

C · 56
Avg Safety Score
846
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
22
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0022 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
7
Contaminants Flagged
$151K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$77,344
Median Household Income
13,464
Service Area Population
44%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
50th
Energy Burden Percentile
77%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Albany serves a community with a median household income of $77,344 and an estimated 13,464 residents across its service area. Approximately 77% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 44% 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

Albany'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
80th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
30th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Whiteside 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 80th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

Infrastructure Risk

66 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
2 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 97% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Albany 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.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead and Copper Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Revised Total Coliform Rule at 4 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. 1 detection 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 →

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

Cissna Park
846 people
D 2 violations
Hanaford
845 people
B 1 violation
Annawan
843 people
C 1 violation
Il American-hardin
839 people
D 1 violation
Chandlerville
838 people
D 3 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,200
Water Filtration $200
PFAS Treatment $167
Total Estimated Cost $2,767

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 $1,500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,665
10 years
$15,330
20 years
$30,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,767 (one-time) vs. $15,330 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

Albany (EPA ID: IL1950050) is a community water system in Illinois that serves approximately 846 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 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 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 4 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 2, 2025 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
February 23, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
December 7, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
November 6, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
September 2, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Health-based Unresolved
July 13, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Unresolved
October 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2023 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Resolved
September 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2023 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Resolved
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
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 5 Yes
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 4 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 4 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 4 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 3 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Stage 2 DBP 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
61230 0.0022 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 Albany (IL1950050) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Albany water safe to drink?

Albany 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 Albany serve?

Albany serves approximately 846 people across 3 ZIP codes in Illinois.

Where does Albany get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Groundwater
Drawn from underground aquifers via wells.

Source: ALBANY Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

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
121
Unknown Material
273
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 2025-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 846
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 Albany safe to drink?
Albany has a C safety grade based on 22 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Albany's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Stage 1 DBP Rule, Lead and Copper Rule, Consumer Confidence Report 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 Albany serve?
Albany serves approximately 846 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Albany's water source?
Albany draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Albany's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0022 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Albany's service area?
The Albany service area has a median household income of $77,344. EPA EJScreen data classifies 44% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Albany get its water?
Albany'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

Albany (EPA ID: IL1950050) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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