Drinking water quality · 2024
What's in Rockford, IL tap water
24 contaminants were measured in the Rockford, IL water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 1 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 24
- Over federal limit
- 1
- Approaching the limit
- 1
- Worst contaminant
- Radium 226 228
- Service area
- IL
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radium 226 228 | 0–6.4 pCi/LRangeSystem-wide | 0 pCi/LMCLG | At or above the limit |
| Cis Dichloroethylene 12 | 0–22 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| Trans Dichloroethylene 12 | 1 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| Trichloroethane 111 | 0.59 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 1.1 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 1.3 mg/LMCLG | Approaching the limit |
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 6 ug/L90th percentileAt the tap | 0 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | 2.2 ug/LMaximumLevels Detected | 0 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.15 mg/LMaximumLevels Detected | 2 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| SeleniumA trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 1.5 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| IronA naturally occurring metal common in groundwater. | 0–0.12 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | 7 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 82 ug/LMaximumLevels Detected | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| ZincA naturally occurring metal that can also enter water from corroding pipes. | 0.018 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 5.8–6.7 ng/LReported levelWell 06 | None set | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Well 06, Well 23, Well 26
| |||
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0–2 ng/LReported levelWell 06 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (3)— Well 06, Well 23, Well 26
| |||
| Perfluorohexanoic acidPerfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 2–2.7 ng/LReported levelWell 26 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (3)— Well 26, Well 06, Well 23
| |||
VOCs & pesticides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TetrachloroethyleneAn industrial solvent (PCE) used in dry cleaning and degreasing. | 2.7 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| TrichloroethyleneAn industrial solvent (TCE) used in metal degreasing. | 0–1.4 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 0–5.12 pCi/LRangeSystem-wide | 0 pCi/LMCLG | Within the limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0–3.4 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | 10 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.746 mg/LMaximumLevels Detected | 4 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 1 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMRDLG | Within the limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 5.578–18.8 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 4 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
People also ask about Rockford, IL's water
+Is Rockford, IL tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the Rockford, IL water utility lists 1 contaminant at or above the federal limit: Radium 226 228. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.
+What contaminants are in Rockford, IL tap water?
24 contaminants were measured in Rockford, IL's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, other, and pfas ("forever chemicals"). 11 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in Rockford, IL tap water?
One contaminant in Rockford, IL's 2024 report sits at or above the federal limit: Radium 226 228 (1.3× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.
+What is the worst contaminant in Rockford, IL tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is Radium 226 228, at 1.3× the federal threshold. It belongs to the other family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in Rockford, IL tap water approaching the federal limit?
One contaminant is between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: Copper. Approaching means measured but not in violation — a margin that can close quickly if conditions change.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Rockford, IL's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is Rockford, IL's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.