Water Quality: Mchenry, IL
18 water systems • 42,152 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Mchenry is served by 18 public water systems with a combined service population of 42,152 people, and has 163 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 8 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Mchenry's violation count is 466% above the national average for Illinois. Contaminants associated with violations include Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Stage 2 DBP.
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)
Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water
EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L
Water Systems Serving Mchenry
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCHENRY | IL1110600 | Groundwater | 22,335 | 89 |
| PRAIRIE PATH WATER CO-WHISPERING HILLS | IL1115700 | Groundwater | 8,300 | 36 |
| PRAIRIE PATH WATER COMPANY-OAKWOOD | IL1830600 | Surface Water | 1,600 | 2 |
| PRAIRIE PATH WATER COMPANY-WESTLAKE | IL2010070 | Groundwater | 1,493 | 5 |
| PRAIRIE PATH WATER COMPANY-KILLARNEY | IL1115400 | Groundwater | 1,232 | 6 |
| PRAIRIE PATH WATER COMPANY-HARBOR RIDGE | IL0975620 | Groundwater | 1,064 | 0 |
| PRAIRIE PATH WATER COMPANY-LAKE MARIAN | IL0895200 | Groundwater | 1,022 | 4 |
| PRAIRIE PATH WATER COMPANY-COVENTRY HILL | IL2015150 | Groundwater | 882 | 0 |
| PRAIRIE PATH WATER COMPANY-HOLIDAY HILLS | IL1115350 | Groundwater | 868 | 0 |
| PRAIRIE PATH WATER COMPANY-WALK UP WOODS | IL1115800 | Groundwater | 775 | 4 |
| PRAIRIE PATH WATER COMPANY-NORTHERN HILL | IL1775050 | Groundwater | 600 | 0 |
| PRAIRIE PATH WATER COMPANY-WILDWOOD | IL2015400 | Groundwater | 490 | 0 |
| PRAIRIE PATH WATER CO-COVENTRY CREEK | IL2015160 | Groundwater | 388 | 0 |
| PRAIRIE PATH WATER COMPANY-DEL-MAR | IL0975370 | Surface Water | 300 | 4 |
| PRAIRIE PATH WATER COMPANY-ROCKVALE | IL1415350 | Groundwater | 298 | 10 |
| PRAIRIE PATH WATER COMPANY-VALENTINE | IL0977300 | Groundwater | 252 | 1 |
| PRAIRIE PATH WATER COMPANY-CHAR-MAR | IL0975350 | Surface Water | 186 | 0 |
| PRAIRIE PATH -PORT BARRINGTON SHORES | IL0971120 | Groundwater | 67 | 2 |
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.