Joliet
EPA ID: IL1970450 · 160,000 people served · 15 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Joliet (IL1970450): 1 past health-based violation, since resolved. Within the five-year EPA monitoring span, Joliet accumulated 7 violations - every finding has been resolved and the utility operates in full compliance today, supplying water to approximately 160,000 people without any active enforcement proceedings.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Joliet Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary - Grade B
Service Area Demographics
The Joliet serves a community with a median household income of $112,160 and an estimated 378,993 residents across its service area. Approximately 45% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Joliet'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.
Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 72th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Joliet compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Contaminant 2383 at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 2 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 31 detections recorded. 6 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 3 exceed state limits.
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
Joliet (EPA ID: IL1970450) is a community water system in Illinois that serves approximately 160,000 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 15 ZIP codes across 10 communities.
ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: B (72/100)
This is the average Home Safety Score for 6 of 15 service-area ZIP codes with all required score domains observed. It is not a grade for the water utility.
Model 4.0.0 uses SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the UCMR 5 PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AirData AQI across three equally weighted domains. Missing required evidence suppresses the score.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 3 resolved, 4 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 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 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Gross Beta | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Gross Beta | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2383 | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2383 | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2383 | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2383 | Non-health-based | Archived |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 2383 | Other Violation | 4 | No |
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 2 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | Yes |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0.00647 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 FilterFree 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.
- 60403 - Crest Hill
- 60404 - Shorewood
- 60410 - Channahon
- 60431 - Joliet
- 60432 - Joliet
- 60433 - Joliet
- 60435 - Joliet
- 60436 - Joliet
- 60441 - Lockport
- 60447 - Minooka
- 60451 - New Lenox
- 60541 - Newark
- 60544 - Plainfield
- 60560 - Yorkville
- 60586 - Plainfield
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Joliet (IL1970450) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joliet water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Joliet; its 7 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does Joliet serve?
Joliet serves approximately 160,000 people across 15 ZIP codes in Illinois.
Where does Joliet get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
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.
- #85 / 100 Highest Exposure Burden (U.S.)
- #2 / 50 Highest Exposure Burden (Illinois)
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Joliet (IL): 1 Health Violation. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/il1970450/
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url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/il1970450/}
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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
Joliet (EPA ID: IL1970450) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.