Water Quality: Downs, IL
2 water systems • 1,251 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Downs is served by 2 public water systems with a combined service population of 1,251 people, and has 51 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 6 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Downs's violation count is 77% above the national average for Illinois. Contaminants associated with violations include Contaminant 1028, Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli.
Contaminants Found
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Water Systems Serving Downs
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOWNS | IL1130500 | Groundwater | 1,201 | 46 |
| COUNTRY LANE MHP | IL1135385 | Groundwater | 50 | 5 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Illinois
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.