Is Urbana, IL tap water safe?

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

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for U of I-Champaign Water System.

8 public water systems serve parts of Urbana. The largest, U of I-Champaign Water System, serves 13,000 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

U of I-Champaign Water System

13,000 people · Purchased groundwater · EPA ID IL0195500

Buys treated water from Illinois American Water – Champaign.

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFHxS Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not 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: 2.3 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, 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.

Urbana homes and lead pipes

50%

of homes built before 1980 (Illinois 64%, US 50%)

18%

built before 1950 (Illinois 26%)

63%

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 Urbana city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Urbana

Ilur Liberty Commons MHP LLC
865 people · Purchased groundwater · Illinois · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Ilur Woods Edge MHP LLC
373 people · Purchased groundwater · Illinois · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Woodland Acres Mhc Water System
230 people · Purchased groundwater · Illinois · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Ilur Portfolio 5 – Surbana Estates MHP LLC
209 people · Purchased groundwater · Illinois · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Ilur Portfolios – Carriage Estates LLC
115 people · Purchased groundwater · Illinois · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Ilur Portfolio 5 – Wilson MHP LLC
62 people · Purchased groundwater · Illinois · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

1 more systems

Ilur Portfolio 5 – Trailside MHP LLC
62 people · Purchased groundwater · Illinois · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Champaign 4 mi Illinois American Water – Champaign	Illinois American Water – Champaign	None above limits	1 ppb
Danville 31 mi Aqua Illinois-Vermilion County	Aqua Illinois-Vermilion County	None above limits	9 ppb
Decatur 43 mi Decatur Water System	Decatur Water System	None above limits	0 ppb
Bloomington 48 mi Bloomington Water System	Bloomington Water System	None above limits	2.5 ppb
Normal 50 mi Normal Water System	Normal Water System	None above limits	3.7 ppb
Springfield 79 mi Springfield Water System	Springfield Water System	None above limits	0 ppb

Urbana ZIP codes (2)

61801
61802

Questions

Is Urbana tap water safe to drink?

U of I-Champaign Water System 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 Urbana, IL?

8 public water systems serve parts of Urbana. The largest is U of I-Champaign Water System (13,000 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Urbana tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. U of I-Champaign Water System had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Urbana homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 50% of Urbana 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. U of I-Champaign Water System'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.