Tap Water Results

Is Pekin, IL tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Illinois American Water – Pekin. 7 PFAS were detected below the limits.

3 public water systems serve parts of Pekin. The largest, Illinois American Water – Pekin, serves 31,731 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Illinois American Water – Pekin

31,731 people · Groundwater · EPA ID IL1795040

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
One sample above limit
2.2 ppt4 pptOne sample above limit
PFHxS
Detected, below limit
7.1 ppt10 pptDetected, below limit
PFNA
Detected, below limit
2.25 ppt10 pptDetected, below limit
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 1 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Across Illinois, 13 of 479 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 18 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Illinois results.

Pekin homes and lead pipes

84%
of homes built before 1980 (Illinois 64%, US 50%)
28%
built before 1950 (Illinois 26%)
32%
of households rent (Illinois 33%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Pekin city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Pekin

  • Pekin Fed Correctional Inst and Prsncmp Water System
    1,635 people · Purchased groundwater · Illinois · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Uaw Senior Citizens Center
    240 people · Purchased groundwater · Illinois · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Peoria 13 mi
Illinois American Water – Peoria
Illinois American Water – PeoriaAbove limit11 ppb
Normal 34 mi
Normal Water System
Normal Water SystemNone above limits3.7 ppb
Bloomington 35 mi
Bloomington Water System
Bloomington Water SystemNone above limits2.5 ppb
Galesburg 47 mi
Galesburg Water System
Galesburg Water SystemAbove limit0 ppb
Springfield 54 mi
Springfield Water System
Springfield Water SystemNone above limits0 ppb
Decatur 61 mi
Decatur Water System
Decatur Water SystemNone above limits0 ppb
Pekin ZIP codes (1)
  • 61554

Questions

Is Pekin tap water safe to drink?

Illinois American Water – Pekin has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Pekin, IL?

3 public water systems serve parts of Pekin. The largest is Illinois American Water – Pekin (31,731 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Pekin tap water have PFAS?

Illinois American Water – Pekin had 7 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Pekin homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 84% of Pekin homes as built before 1980 (Illinois: 64%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Illinois American Water – Pekin's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.