June 14, 2026

Kankakee, IL Water Quality Report 2026

By PureWaterGuys

EPA compliance testing (2012–2019) detected 13 regulated contaminants in this water system, including 2 that averaged above a federal limit: Lead, Arsenic, Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) + 10 more.

Unlock the full breakdown — detected levels vs. legal limits, plus what removes each one.

Full contaminant breakdown

EPA Six-Year Review compliance monitoring, 2012–2019 — the most recent national compliance dataset EPA has published. See the sections above for more recent violation and PFAS records.

ContaminantAvg. detectedHighest sampleFederal limitAvg. vs. limit
LeadEPA health goal: zero 48.8 ppb 670 ppb 15 ppb (action level) 325% — above
ArsenicEPA health goal: zero 11.3 ppb 24 ppb 10 ppb 113% — above
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 54.2 ppb 104 ppb 80 ppb 68%
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) 33.9 ppb 79.2 ppb 60 ppb 57%
Atrazine 1.1 ppb 1.1 ppb 3 ppb 37%
Radium (combined)EPA health goal: zero 1.24 pCi/L 2.2 pCi/L 5 pCi/L 25%
Nitrate 1980 ppb 4400 ppb 10000 ppb 20%
Fluoride 640 ppb 1080 ppb 4000 ppb 16%
Nitrate + nitrite 953 ppb 1800 ppb 10000 ppb 10%
Copper 72.3 ppb 3300 ppb 1300 ppb (action level) 6%
Chromium (total) 5.1 ppb 5.1 ppb 100 ppb 5%
Selenium 2.35 ppb 2.4 ppb 50 ppb 5%
Barium 36.4 ppb 120 ppb 2000 ppb 2%

Also tested, no detections: 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), 2,4-D, Alachlor, Antimony, Benzene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Beryllium, Cadmium, Carbofuran, Carbon tetrachloride, Chlordane, Chlorobenzene, Cyanide, DBCP, DEHA (adipate), DEHP (phthalate), Dalapon, Dichloromethane, Dinoseb, Diquat, Endothall, Endrin, Ethylbenzene, Ethylene dibromide (EDB), Glyphosate, Heptachlor, Heptachlor epoxide, Hexachlorobenzene, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Lindane, Mercury (inorganic), Methoxychlor, Nitrite, Oxamyl, PCBs, Pentachlorophenol, Picloram, Simazine, Styrene, Tetrachloroethylene (PCE), Thallium, Toluene, Toxaphene, Trichloroethylene (TCE), Vinyl chloride, Xylenes (total), cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, o-Dichlorobenzene, p-Dichlorobenzene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene.

Reverse osmosis (drinking water)

The treatment category most often matched to dissolved contaminants like lead, arsenic, nitrate, fluoride, and radiological contaminants detected in this system.

Shop reverse osmosis →

Whole-house carbon filtration

The treatment category most often matched to disinfection byproducts (TTHMs, haloacetic acids), chlorine taste and odor, and organic compounds detected in this system.

Shop whole-house systems →

Source: U.S. EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance monitoring data (2012–2019), the most recent nationwide compliance dataset EPA has released, reported at the water-system level. A detection is not a violation. “Avg. vs. limit” compares the average of laboratory detections to the federal MCL or action level; individual faucets can differ — household plumbing affects lead and copper, and a state-certified laboratory test of your own tap is the only way to confirm levels in your home. Treatment categories are general matches, not a certification claim for a specific product and contaminant.

Water Utility: Aqua Illinois-Kankakee
Population Served: 80,000 residents
Data Sources: EPA SDWIS + EPA UCMR5
Report Year: 2026

Kankakee, Illinois drinking water is supplied by Aqua Illinois-Kankakee. All US public water systems must test drinking water and report results to the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This report summarizes health-based violations and PFAS detections recorded in federal databases to help you make informed decisions about home water filtration.

EPA Health-Based Violation History

The following contaminants exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) at this utility since 2010:

Contaminant Violation Years Filter Solution
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule 2024 Water Filters

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), updated quarterly. Health-based violations only.

Should You Filter Your Kankakee Water?

Even utilities with no EPA violations may have contaminants present below legal limits but above health guidelines. The EPA sets maximum contaminant levels based on what is feasible and affordable to treat at scale -- not necessarily what carries zero health risk. Many independent health organizations recommend filtration for households with children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals regardless of utility compliance status.

Protect Your Kankakee Home Water

PureWaterGuys.com carries filtration systems engineered to address the most common contaminants in US tap water. We ship to all Illinois addresses with free expert guidance on the right system.

Shop Water Filtration Systems →Take the Water Quiz

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kankakee tap water safe to drink?

Aqua Illinois-Kankakee is required to meet EPA federal drinking water standards. However, meeting legal standards is not the same as being contaminant-free. Trace levels of disinfection byproducts, PFAS compounds, and other regulated contaminants are common in US municipal water systems.

Does Kankakee water have PFAS?

PFAS monitoring data for this utility may not yet be published in EPA databases. We recommend a reverse osmosis system for maximum protection regardless of local results.

What water filter works best for Kankakee?

A whole-house carbon block filter removes chlorine, chloramines, and many VOCs. For PFAS, arsenic, and nitrates, a reverse osmosis under-sink system provides the highest reduction rates. Take our free 2-minute quiz to find the right system for your home and budget.

Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 federal databases. PureWaterGuys.com is not affiliated with any municipal water utility. Contact your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for complete local data.

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