Table of Contents
Can You Drink Tap Water in Rockford?
Yes, Rockford's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Rockford has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page, the city's water provider website, or Rockford's local Twitter account.
According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Rockford's water utility, Rockford, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. The last violation for Rockford was resolved on March 31, 2012. This assessment is based on the Rockford water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.
While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.
The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.
Water Quality Report for Rockford Tap Water
The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Rockford tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.
Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.
EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.
There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.
We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Rockford's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.
Rockford Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years
Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Rockford for Rockford in Illinois. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.
From Jan. 1, 2012 to March 31, 2012, Rockford had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Radionuclides rule code family for the following contaminant code: Combined Radium (-226 and -228).
From Oct. 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2011, Rockford had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Radionuclides rule code family for the following contaminant code: Combined Radium (-226 and -228).
Is there Lead in Rockford Water?
Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Rockford water system, Rockford, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0041 mg/L of lead in Rockford water. This is 27.3% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Rockford contained more lead.
While Rockford water testing may have found 0.0041 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.
No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.
Are there PFAS in Rockford Tap Water?
Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be no military bases near Rockford with suspected leaks.
With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Rockford has been evaluated for yet.
Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.
Rockford SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years
Compliance Period | Status | Health-Based? | Category Code | Code | Rule Code | Contaminant Code | Rule Group Code | Rule Family Code |
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01/01/2012 - 03/31/2012 | Resolved | Yes | Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) | Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) | Radionuclides (340) | Combined Radium (-226 and -228) (4010) | Chemicals (300) | Radionuclides (340) |
10/01/2011 - 12/31/2011 | Resolved | Yes | Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) | Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) | Radionuclides (340) | Combined Radium (-226 and -228) (4010) | Chemicals (300) | Radionuclides (340) |
What do these Violations Mean?
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.
Health Based Violations
- Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
- Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
- Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.
Non-Health Based Violations
- Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
- Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
- Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.
SDWA Table Key
Field | Description |
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Compliance Period | Dates of the compliance period. |
Status |
Current status of the violation.
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Health-Based? | Whether the violation is health based. |
Category Code |
The category of violation that is reported.
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Code | A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table. |
Contaminant Code | A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation. |
Rule Code |
Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
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Rule Group Code |
Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
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Rule Family Code |
Code for rule family.
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For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.
Rockford Water - Frequently Asked Questions
By Mail: | 1111 CEDAR STREET ROCKFORD, IL, 61102 |
Existing customers can login to their Rockford account to pay their Rockford water bill by clicking here.
If you want to pay your Rockford bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Rockford water bill.
If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Rockford water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.
Moving to a new house or apartment in Rockford means you will often need to put the water in your name with Rockford. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.
Leaving your house or apartment in Rockford means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Rockford. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.
The estimated price of bottled water
$1.74 in USD (1.5-liter)
USER SUBMITTED RATINGS
- Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility
- Water Pollution
- Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility
- Water Quality
The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Rockford, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).
Related FAQS
Rockford Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)
The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Rockford's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.
CONSUMERWATER QUALITYCONFIDENCEREPORT
Rockford Water Division
Taste The Rockford
Water Difference.
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2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT |
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Rockford Water Division |
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Annual Drinking Water Quality Report |
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• Pesticides and herbicides which may come from a variety of |
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Rockford IL 2010300 |
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sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and |
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residential uses. |
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Annual Water Quality Report for the period |
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• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile |
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of January 1 to December 31, 2020 |
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organic chemicals, which are |
This report is intended to provide you with important information |
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and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, |
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urban storm water runoff, and septic systems. |
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about your drinking water and the efforts made by the water system |
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• Radioactive cont minants, which can be |
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to provide safe drinking water. |
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be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. |
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The source of drinking water used by ROCKFORD is Ground Water |
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Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to |
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For more information regarding this report contact: |
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contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of |
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Jamie Rott, Water Superintendent |
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contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health |
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Phone: |
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risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects |
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can be obtained by calling the EPAs Safe Drinking Water Hotline at |
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Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre el agua que |
(800) |
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usted bebe. Tradúzcalo ó hable con alguien que lo entienda bien. |
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In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes |
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regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water |
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Source of Drinking Water |
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provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establis limits |
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) |
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for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same |
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protection for public health. |
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include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. |
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Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking |
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As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, |
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it dissolves |
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water than the general population. |
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material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of |
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animals or from human activity. |
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chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people |
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Contaminants that may be present in source water include: |
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with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly and |
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Microbial contamin nts, such as viruses and bacteria, which |
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infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should |
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seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. |
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may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, |
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EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection |
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agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. |
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by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from |
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Inorganic ontaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be |
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the Safe Drinking Water Hotline |
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If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, |
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industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas |
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especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking |
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production, mining, or farming. |
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water is primarily from materials and components associated with |
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service lines and home plumbing. We cannot control the variety of |
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Information About Inorganic Contaminants |
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materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been |
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sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead |
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Ir n: |
This contaminant is not currently regulated by USEPA. |
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exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using |
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water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your |
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However, the state has set an MCL for this contaminant for |
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water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in |
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supplies serving a population of 1000 or more. |
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drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize |
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Manganese: This contaminant is not currently regulated by |
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exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at |
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USEPA. However, the state has set an MCL for this contaminant |
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http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. |
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for supplies serving a population of 1000 or more. |
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S d um: There is not a state or federal MCL for sodium. |
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Monitoring is required to provide information to consumers and |
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health officials that are concerned about sodium intake due to |
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Need help? |
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dietary precautions. If you are on a |
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should consult your physician about this level of sodium in the water. |
Water |
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Arsenic: While your drinking water meets EPA standards for |
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arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. EPAs standard |
After Hours |
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balances the current understanding of arsenics possible health |
Billing |
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effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. |
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EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of |
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arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems.
Source Water Assessment |
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We want our valued customers to be informed about their water |
within 200 feet and 8 within 1,000 feet. One additional source is |
quality. If you would like to learn more, please feel welcome to attend |
located outside the 1,000 foot zone and recharge area. Unit well #11 |
any of our regularly scheduled meetings. The source water assess- |
has 3 sources within 400 feet and 16 within 1,000 feet. Three |
ment for our supply has been completed by the Illinois EPA. If you |
sources are located within the recharge area and 1 additional source |
would like a copy of this information, please stop by City Hall or call |
is located outside the 1,000 foot zone and recharge area. Unit well |
our water operator at |
#12 has two sources within 400 feet. Unit well #13 has 1 source |
the completed Source Water Assessments, including: Importance of |
within 200 feet and 1 within 1,000 feet. Unit well #15 has 3 sources |
Source Water; Susceptibility to Contamination Determination; and |
within 400 feet and 7 within 1,000 feet. Unit well #16 has 2 sources |
documentation/recommendation of Source Water Protection Efforts, |
within 200 feet and 12 within 1,000 feet. Unit well #17 has 1 source |
you may access the Illinois EPA website at http://www.epa.state.il |
located within 1,000 feet. Unit well #18 has 2 sources within 200 feet |
and 1 within 1,000 feet. Ten sources are associated with abandoned |
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Source of Water: ROCKFORDTo determine Rockford's susceptibility |
unit well #19. Unit well #20 has 3 sources within 200 feet and 22 |
within 1,000 feet. Unit well #21 has 12 sources within 1,000 feet. Unit |
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to groundwater contamination, the Well Site Survey and IRWA’s |
well #22 has 8 sources within 1,000 feet. Unit well #23 has 1 source |
recharge area survey were reviewed. During the surveys of |
within 1,000 feet and 15 within the recharge area. Six additional |
Rockford's source water protection areas, the Rockford Water |
sources are located outside the 1,000 foot zone and recharge area. |
Department Production Division recorded potential sources, routes, |
Unit well #24 has 2 sources within 1,000 feet and 3 within the |
or possible problem sites within the 200 or 400 foot minimum |
recharge area. Seven additional sources are located outside the |
setback zones, 1,000 foot maximum setback zones, and IRWA |
1,000 foot zone and recharge area. Unit well #25 has 1 source within |
recorded the sites in the regulated recharge areas. Following are the |
200 feet and 5 within 1,000 feet. Unit well #26 has 9 sources within |
results of the surveys conducted. Only the wells that have associated |
1,000 feet. Unit well #27 has 2 sources within 1,000 feet. Unit well |
sites are listed. The well name is followed by the number of sites |
#28 has 1 source within 400 feet and 2 within 1,000 feet. Three |
within the minimum zone, the maximum zone, and the recharge |
additional sources are located outside the 1,000 foot zone and |
area, respectively.Group well #1 has 11 sources within 400 feet |
recharge area. Unit well #30 has 1 source within 200 feet. Unit well |
and 10 within 1,000 feet. Five additional sources are located outside |
#31 has 2 sources located outside the 1,000 foot zone and recharge |
the 1,000 foot zone. Group well #2 has 9 sources within 400 feet and |
area. Unit well #35 has 4 sources within 400 feet and 9 within 1,000 |
15 within 1,000 feet. Five additional sources are located outside the |
feet. One additional source is located outside the 1,000 foot zone |
1,000 foot zone. Group well #4 has 3 sources within 400 feet and 19 |
and recharge area. Unit well #36 has 3 sources located within 1,000 |
within 1,000 feet. One additional source is located outside the 1,000 |
feet. Unit well #40 has 1 source located outside the 1,000 foot zone |
foot zone. Group well #6 has 1 source located within 400 feet and 7 |
and recharge area.The Illinois EPA considers the source water of this |
within 1,000 feet. Two additional sources are located outside the |
facility to be susceptible to contamination. This determination is |
1,000 foot zone. Unit well #4 has 7 sources within 400 feet and 4 |
based on a number of criteria including: monitoring conducted at the |
sources within 1,000 feet. Unit wells #5 and #5A have 2 sources |
wells, monitoring conducted at the entry point to the distribution |
located within 1,000 feet. Unit well #9A has 8 sources within the |
system, the available hydrogeologic data on the wells, and the |
recharge area. Six additional sources are located outside the 1,000 |
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foot zone and recharge area. Unit well #10 has 3 sources located |
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Definitions:
The level of a contaminant in drinking
waterAc ionbelowLevelwhichGoalthere(ALG):is no known or expected risk to health. ALGs allow for a margin of safety.
The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggersAction Level:treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Lead and Copper
Lead |
Date |
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Action |
90th |
Number of Sites |
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Likely Source |
And Copper |
Sampled |
MCLG |
Level (AL) |
Percentile |
Over AL |
Units |
Violation |
of Contamination |
Copper |
09/25/2019 |
1.3 ppm |
1.3 ppm |
1.27 |
10 |
ppm |
No |
Erosion of natural deposits; |
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Leaching from wood preservatives |
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Corrosion of household plumbing systems. |
Lead |
09/25/2019 |
0 ppb |
15 ppb |
4.1 |
2 |
ppb |
No |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; |
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Erosion of natural deposits. |
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Notes For Charts:
Highest Level Detected indicates the annual running average of the analyte listed. NOTE: The state requires monitoring of certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Therefore, some of this data may be more than one year old.
The Rockford Water Division is pleased
If, upon its review,to provideyou youshouldthishaveWaterquestionsQualityorReportconcerns,. please
contact Jamie Rott, Water Superintendent
For other information and updates to activities at the
Water Division, please visit our web site at www.rockfordil.gov.
Water Quality Test Results
The following tables contain scientific terms and meas- ures,D finitions:some of which may require explanation.
Regulatory compliance with some MCLs are based on running annualAvg: average of monthly samples.
A Level 1 assessment is a study of the water systemLev l 1toAssidentifyssment:potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system.
A Level 2 assessment is a very detailed study ofLevelthe water2 Assessystemment:to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why an E. coli MCL violation has occurred and/or why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system on multiple occasions.
The highest level of a
contaminantMaxi um Contaminantthat is allowedLevelin drinkingor MCL:water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
The level of a
contaminantMaxi um Contaminantin drinking waterLevelbelowGoalwhichor MCLG:there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
The highest level
ofMaximuma disinfectantresidualalloweddisinfectantin drinkinglevelwatero . MRDL:There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
The level of
aMaximumdrinking waterresidualdisinfectantdisinfectantbelowlevelwhichgoalthereor isMRDLG:no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
na: not applicable.
body)mrem: millirems per year (a measure of radiation absorbed by the micrograms per liter or parts per billion - or one ounce in
7,350,000ppb: gallons of water.
milligrams per liter or parts per million - or one ounce in 7,350 gallonsppm: of water.
A required process intended to reduce
theTr atmentlevel ofTea contaminanthnique or TT:in drinking water.
Regulated Contaminants
Disinfectants and |
Collection |
Highest Level |
Range of Levels |
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Disinfection |
Date |
Detected |
Detected |
MCLG |
MCL |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
Chlorine |
12/31/2020 |
1 |
MRDLG=4 |
MRDL=4 |
ppm |
No |
Water additive used to control microbes |
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Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) |
2020 |
3 |
0 - 4.7 |
No goal for the total |
60 |
ppb |
No |
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Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) |
2020 |
8 |
No goal for the total |
80 |
ppb |
No |
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Collection |
Highest Level |
Range of Levels |
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Inorganic Contaminants |
Date |
Detected |
Detected |
MCLG |
MCL |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
Arsenic |
2020 |
2.2 |
0 - 2.2 |
0 |
10 |
ppm |
No |
Erosion of natural deposits; Runoff from orchards; |
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Runoff from glass and electronics production wastes. |
Barium |
2020 |
0.64 |
0.044 - 0.64 |
2 |
2 |
ppm |
No |
Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from |
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metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits |
Fluoride |
2020 |
0.822 |
0.637 - 0.822 |
4 |
4.0 |
ppm |
No |
Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive which |
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promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer |
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and aluminum factories |
Nitrate (Measured as Nitrogen) |
2020 |
4 |
0 - 3.5 |
10 |
10 |
ppm |
No |
Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, |
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sewage; Erosion of natural deposits |
Selenium |
2020 |
1.7 |
0 - 1.7 |
50 |
50 |
ppb |
No |
Discharge from petroleum and metal refineries; |
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Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge from mines. |
Sodium |
2020 |
51 |
2.5 - 51 |
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ppm |
No |
Erosion from naturally occuring deposits: |
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Used in water softener regeneration. |
Zinc |
2020 |
.029 |
0 - 0.029 |
5 |
5 |
ppm |
No |
This contaminant is not currently regulated by |
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the USEPA. However, the state regulates. |
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Naturally occurring; discharge from metal |
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Collection |
Highest Level |
Range of Levels |
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Radioactive Contaminants |
Date |
Detected |
Detected |
MCLG |
MCL |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
Combined Radium 226/228 |
2020 |
6 |
0 - 6.6 |
0 |
5 |
pCi/L |
No |
Erosion of natural deposits |
Gross Alpha Excluding |
2020 |
4.4 |
0 - 4.4 |
0 |
15 |
pCi/L |
No |
Erosion of natural deposits: |
Radon & Uranium |
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Volatile |
Collection |
Highest Level |
Range of Levels |
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Organic Contaminates |
Date |
Detected |
Detected |
MCLG |
MCL |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
1, 1, |
2020 |
0.88 |
0 - 0.88 |
200 |
200 |
ppb |
No |
Discharge from metal degreasing sites |
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and other factories |
Tetrachloroethylene |
2020 |
2.2 |
0 - 2.2 |
0 |
5 |
ppb |
No |
Discharge from factories and dry cleaners |
Trichloroethylene |
2020 |
1 |
0 - 0.77 |
0 |
5 |
ppb |
No |
Discharge from metal degreasing sites |
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and other factories |
2020 |
13 |
0 - 13 |
70 |
70 |
ppb |
No |
Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
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2020 |
1 |
0 - 0.61 |
100 |
100 |
ppb |
No |
Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
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State Regulated Contaminants |
Date |
Detected |
Detected |
MCLG |
MCL |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Iron |
2020 |
0.6 |
0 - 1.3 |
|
1.0 |
ppm |
No |
This contaminant is not currently regulated by the USEPA. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
However, the state regulates. Errosion of natural deposits. |
Manganese |
2020 |
380 |
0 - 370 |
150 |
150 |
ppb |
No |
This contaminant is not currently regulated by the USEPA. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
However, the state regulates. Errosion of natural deposits. |
Rockford PFAS Sample Results 2020 - The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency |
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In late 2020, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois |
The data from the Illinois EPA PFAS testing is outlined in the table |
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EPA) tested our water system for compounds known as Per- and |
below. None of the levels detected in our drinking water were above |
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Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) as part of a statewide investigation |
the health based screening levels but were greater than or equal to |
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of community water supplies. PFAS are a group of thousands of |
the lowest concentrations that the laboratory can reliably detect. |
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manmade substances that have been produced in the United States |
Please refer to the PFAS informational page in this document for |
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since the 1940s and utilized for a variety of applications ranging from |
more details on PFAS. |
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|
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water and stain proofing to firefighting. Some PFAS have been |
The City of Rockford continues to monitor PFAS values through |
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phased out of production due to environmental and human health |
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concerns, yet persist in the environment and may contaminate surface |
quarterly sampling. |
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|
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or ground waters. |
|
|
Refer to the City website for additional information on PFAS. |
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|
|
Draft Guidance |
Minimum Reporting |
Analytical Result at |
Analytical Result at |
Analytical Result at |
PFAS Analyte |
Acronym |
Level (ppt) |
Level (ppt) |
TP05 (ppt)(Well 6) |
TP21 (ppt)(Well 23) |
TP24 (ppt)(Well 26) |
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid |
PFBS |
2,100 |
2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid |
PFHxS |
140 |
2 |
4.2 - 4.7 |
2.1 |
2.1 |
Perfluorononanoic acid |
PFNA |
21 |
2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid |
PFOS |
14 |
2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
Perfluorooctanoic acid |
PFOA |
2 |
2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid |
*** |
2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
|
NEtFOSAA |
*** |
2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
|
NMeFOSAA |
*** |
2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
|
Perfluorodecanoic acid |
PFDA |
*** |
2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
Perfluorododecanoic acid |
PFDoA |
*** |
2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
Perfluoroheptanoic acid |
PFHpA |
*** |
2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
Perfluorohexanoic acid |
PFHxA |
560,000 |
2 |
ND |
2.9 |
2.7 - 2.9 |
Perfluorotetradecanoic acid |
PFTA |
*** |
2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
Perfluorotridecanoic acid |
PFTrDA |
*** |
2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
Perfluoroundecanoic acid |
PFUnA |
*** |
2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
*** |
2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
||
*** |
2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
||
ADONA |
*** |
2 |
ND |
ND |
ND |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*** No Toxicity criteria available |
|
|
|
|
|
|
What Are PFAS?
Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)1 are a group of manmade fluorinated compounds which are used for a variety of applications by both industry and residential households. PFAS have been in commercial use since the 1940’s and are abundant in today’s society. These chemicals are widely in use because of their exceptional resistance to heat, water, and oil.
PFAS are commonly found in every American household, and in products as diverse as
Two of the most common types (PFOS and PFOA) were phased out of production in the United States (US) in 2002 and 2015 respectively, but are still present in some imported products. PFOA and PFOS are found in every American person’s blood stream in the parts per billion range, though those concentrations have decreased by 70% for PFOA and 84% for PFOS between 1999 and 2014, which coincides with the end of the production and phase out of PFOA and PFOS in the US2.
These studies highlight the fact that there is significantly more PFOA in the ambient dust in the average home than the levels currently being discussed as thresholds for drinking water. Because PFAS is in the products we use, is transported through air and water and has been found in the food we eat, there are numerous public exposure pathways for PFAS beyond drinking water.
Drinking water treatment systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and municipal solid waste landfills are not “producers” or users of PFAS, and none of these essential public service providers utilize or profit from PFAS chemicals. Rather, they are “receivers” of these chemicals used by manufacturers and everyday consumers, and merely convey and/or manage the traces of PFAS coming into our systems daily. In order to address the true sources of these chemicals, it is imperative to discontinue and phase out production and use (both domestic and foreign) at manufacturing facilities and find safer alternatives for heavy use areas such as firefighting training sites.
- PFAS is the broader class of chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, and many others.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fourth Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, Updated Tables, (January 2019). Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. cdc.gov/exposurereport
Legislators, regulators, and drinking water, wastewater, and solid waste agencies must work collaboratively to examine how to manage PFAS holistically, with science driving the decision making.
The goal of any PFAS policy or regulation should be to determine the most effective steps needed to reduce human exposure
and implement them within the broad context of protecting human health.
For information on how Rockford Water is handling PFAS and drinking water, please visit our
website at https://bit.ly/3fjzkrP
Forwwwmore info.rockfordilmation, visit our website.gov at
Lead Awareness
At The City Of Rockford
Lead In Drinking Water
Drinking water that the City of Rockford Water Division delivers to each of the service connections in the community contains no detectible levels of lead. Drinking water is essentially lead free when leaving the water treatment plant, but lead can be released when the water comes in contact with pipes and plumbing fixtures that may contain lead. Lead sources and lead levels will vary from home to home, so it is important to identify and remove any lead sources in each household. Lead in drinking water is primarily attributed to the corrosion of
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems especially for pregnant women and children. When your water has been sitting in household plumbing unused for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your cold water tap for at least two
minutes before using the water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, you should determine if you have lead plumbing or other sources of lead on your property. You may refer to the interactive Water Service Line map on the City website that shows the service line material, if available for each home. You may also consider having your water tested for lead. To request a free lead test kit from the Rockford Water Division, please contact our Water Quality Group at
Until all household sources of lead in drinking water have been removed, pregnant or nursing women and children under the age of six may want to use filtered tap water for drinking and cooking. This includes water used for making infant formula, beverages and ice. Filters should be certified to meet NSF Standard 53 for lead removal. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline
Service Line Map
Use our map to check for lead
service lines on your property
Lead service lines were predominantly installed prior to 1960 in the City of Rockford. You can use our service line map to see the information the Water Division has about your service line.
Download Our Brochure
Lead And
Drinking Water Visit rockfordil.gov or contact us at lead@rockfordil.gov Reminder: Remove and clean faucet aerators every 3 months.
Pipe Identification Procedures
How To Identify A Lead Water Service Pipe
Flathead Screwdriver, RefrigeratorTools Needed:Magnet & A Penny (or other coin)
Step 1:
Locate the water service line |
Outlet |
Valve |
|
coming into the building. |
|
This is typically found in the basement. An “inlet |
|
valve” and the water meter are installed on the pipe |
|
after the point of entry. |
|
Identify a test area on the pipe between the point |
|
where it comes into the building and the inlet valve. |
Pipe To |
If the pipe is covered or wrapped, expose a small |
Home |
area of metal. |
Plumbing |
Water
Meter
Inlet
Valve
Pipe To
Outside Of
Building
TEST AREA
Step 2:
UseScratchthe flattheedgesurfaceof a screwdriverof theor otherpipetool. to scratch through any corrosion that may have built up on the outside of the pipe.
Step 3:
EachComparetype of pipeyourwillpipeproduceto athedifferentcharttypebelowof scratch,. react to the magnet differently and produce a unique sound when tapped with a metal coin.
Lead Pipes
IfThetheScrscrapedtch Testarea is shiny and silver, your service line is lead.
AThemagnetMagnetwillTestnot stick to a lead pipe.
Tappinghe Tappinga leadTestpipe with a coin will produce a dull noise.
Copper Pipes
IfThetheScrscrapedtch Testarea is copper in color, like a penny, your service line is copper.
AThemagnetMagnetwillTestnot stick to a copper pipe.
Tappinghe Tappinga copperTestpipe with a coin will produce a metallic ringing noise.
Galvanized Pipes
IfThetheScrscrapedtch Testarea remains a dull gray, your service line is galvanized steel.
AThemagnetMagnetsticksTestto a galvanized pipe.
Tappinghe Tappinga galvanizedTest pipe with a coin will produce a metallic ringing noise.
Where Can Lead Be Found
In Home Plumbing?
The City’s water main system is lead free.
However, some homes may have a water service line,
(running from the water main to homes) that is made of lead.
Lead can also be found in older brass fixtures and valves and in old solder, where pipes are joined.
Possible Pipe Materials
LeadCopper
Galvanized Steel |
Plastic |
Homeowners’Water S vicepipesLine:may be made of lead, copper, galvanized steel or plastic.
Contaminants
Rockford
EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.
Utility details
- Serves: 155000
- Data available: 2012-2017
- Data Source: Groundwater
- Total: 33
Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines
- 1%2C4-Dioxane
- Arsenic
- Bromodichloromethane
- Chloroform
- Chromium (hexavalent)
- Dibromochloromethane
- Nitrate
- Nitrate and nitrite
- Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
- Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)
- Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Other Detected Contaminants
- 1%2C1%2C1-Trichloroethane
- 1%2C1-Dichloroethane
- Barium
- Carbon tetrachloride
- Chlorate
- Chlorodifluoromethane
- Chromium (total)
- cis-1%2C2-Dichloroethylene
- Cobalt
- Dichloroacetic acid
- Fluoride
- Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
- Manganese
- Molybdenum
- Monobromoacetic acid
- Selenium
- Strontium
- Testosterone
- trans-1%2C2-Dichloroethylene
- Trichloroacetic acid
- Trichloroethylene
- Vanadium
Reminder
Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.
Sources and Resources
Sources Cited
Additional Resources
Rockford Tap Water
Do you know that your Rockford Tap Water is safe to drink? The quality of the supply that the Rockford Electric Company provides runs close to the government-regulated standards. We can enjoy such high-quality services due to the stringent measures they have taken to ensure that our community remains a healthy place to live. This would not have been possible without the support from the various governing bodies and institutions in the area. The following is a brief explanation of how our supply of clean and healthy water has been made possible.
Yes, tap water is perfectly drinkable. It’s not even questionable as to whether or not it is potable. Drinking tap water is essential without lead once leaving the municipal water treatment facility. However, information can still be delivered if the water interacts with plumbing and other electrical apparatuses containing lead. Lead levels and sources will vary from the individual house to house, which is why it’s necessary to identify and remove any lead-tainted sources in each household. As soon as you suspect that there might be some impurities, you should have the water tested by a certified testing lab to determine what kind of lead contamination might have occurred.
If you are worried about the quality of the tap water in your home or office, you should invest in a multi-stage home filtration system that will take out all of the contaminants mentioned above and more. These types of systems are specifically designed to remove rust, sediment, viruses, bacteria, parasites, cysts, and other harmful contaminants that can wreak havoc on your health. A Rockford ice machine, restaurant ice machine, or showerhead ice maker will enable you to enjoy clean, pure water whenever you wish.
Rockford Drinking Water
The Winnebago County Water Division, located in Rockford, IL, serves the entire community of Winnebago and Rockford and Granite City towns. The Water Division, also known as the Winnebago Utility Company, provides potable water for residential customers, commercial businesses, government agencies, and others within the Winnebago County area. In addition to potable water supplied by the Winnebago Utility Company, the city of Rockford also purchases potable water from the dam at Lake Winnebago. Residents may obtain bottled water from the store located on the eastern edge of Rockford.
There are several options available to those residents who wish to have safe and clean drinking water. The various options include having a water filtering system installed on the house, which filters and purifies the household’s drinking water. Other options include having a complete water filtration/purification system put into the home, which is usually more economical. The best way to be sure you have an adequate water filtration system is to contact the company that sells the product and perform thorough water testing. This will ensure that you have safe drinking water, even when you have low health-based screening levels. In addition, if you choose to have the entire plumbing system in the home filtered, you should have your water tested again from time to make sure that your water is still safe to consume.
Although you have to pay more than buying bottled water, it might be a good idea to invest in a filter so that your whole house is filtered, and you will be sure to get what you pay for. However, purchasing a water filtering system can be pretty expensive, especially if you do not use it often. Still, it is something that every household should consider doing so that they can have access to high-quality drinking water. Rockford drinking water can be a great addition to your home, especially if you live there and you know that you have a duty of care to provide safe water for your family to use.
Rockford Water Quality
If you are looking to buy a home in Rockford, Connecticut, and want to check the water quality before you sign on the dotted line, then this article was written for you. Rockford is a small town in Connecticut that is located about an hour north of New York City. There are many different places in Rockford to go for water testing and get information about the water quality in the area. One of the most popular places in West Springfield, which is about an hour north of Rockford.
Water quality testing can be done in several different ways. If you live in an area that using treated sewage water, then there are companies that will test your water for any bacteria or viruses. People living in rural areas can get special testing done from time to time because they might have a notable contaminant in their water supply that has gotten into their supply. People living in urban areas may have a higher risk of having chemicals or other pollutants get into their drinking supply. These companies will test for both of these types of contaminants.
The water quality that comes out of your tap at your home should be the best that it can be. If you have any concerns or questions about the water that you drink and use at your home, then you should talk to someone at a quality consulting firm. They will give you information and advice on what you need to do to improve your home’s quality of life.
Rockford Water Treatment
Rockford Water Treatment facility in Olney, IL, is located in the rural northwestern corner of Rockford township in Rockford county. There is no connection to Rockford, Illinois, as its name suggests, but since this is in the vicinity, it’s entirely possible that people nearby know about it. When searching for quality drinking water, this is usually where you will find it. They have found a need for this because of the high volume of the population that lives here in the area.
The Rockford Water Treatment manages the Rockford water treatment plant and pumping Company established in 1908. The company also features a plant manager, Bob Woods, who has been with the company for 30 years. He has overseen everything from installing the company’s equipment to testing and treating drinking water at the plant. In his position, he oversees all personnel and ensures that they are doing their job. He also oversees the whole plant operations, including hiring staff, purchasing supplies, and reports from the monitoring program. The monitoring program consists of several different specialists who regularly watch every pump, pipe, and line at the plant.
This is just one example of the quality services they provide to the residents of Rockford township. Others include the purchase of the right and proper equipment, proper maintenance, use of filtration systems, the purchasing of drinking water softeners and dispensers, routine cleaning of equipment and pipes, and even the installation of a satellite dish for the customer who needs to be connected to the town’s internet connection. This is just the tip of the iceberg. If you have never visited Rockford before, don’t feel bad that you’re not even familiar with most of what is offered. As with any place, they do have their pros and cons, but if it is something you see and feel you need, don’t be afraid to take advantage of what Rockford Water Treatment Company has to offer.
Water in Rockford
It is easy to find reliable water in Rockford, Illinois. You can also find the details about water filters and purifiers. Rockford offers a variety of options to choose from to make your water safe and clean. The water in Rockford is guaranteed secure for drinking and safe for all household uses.
Yes, tap water is safe to consume. To read user-submitted ratings of this water’s quality for Rockford, view the “user submitted ratings” box on the website. According to the Rockford Water Division, the water in Rockford, IL, is considered safe for all drinking purposes. The water quality report reveals that the water source complies with the state drinking water standard.
In cases where you are concerned about possible contaminants or mineral build-up, you should request a sample and let the water testing laboratory determine the levels. The most common pollutants found are inorganic and organic compounds, both of which can cause harmful effects to anyone who ingests them. Rockford Hard Water can have trace mineral build-up if you know to look for it. Mineral | soap residue | hard water | water treatment | water softener} It’s not just the Rockford hard water that contains leftover mineral deposits. Every water softener system needs a measure of sodium to neutralize excess minerals. You can buy a multi-purpose softening ingredient called SoftMax. You can also purchase sodium-free alternatives that can be used in places where the water treatment facilities don’t treat hard water. For years, customers of Rockford water softeners have found these options cost less than regular hard water.
Rockford Water Utility
The Rockford Water Utility has two main transmission lines, Consolidated City Sewerage and Rockford Electric. Replacing the older parts managed by the utility established in 1875 that use a single electric meter instead of both would cost approximately $300 million, would require accelerating a new water main replacement project. Over the last decade, 8.2 miles of water mains were replaced, as stated in the above Rockford Water Utility’s annual report. Some of these include the City of Rockford, Fairmont, West River, South Rockford, Plummer, Ford City, and New Britain Water Plant. In addition to these, many homes and businesses are installing new metering systems or are upgrading from older ones, such as old dual meter hookups.
For this reason, the Rockford Water Utility has been asked to put into place a process that would see the aging water mains replaced with new ones at a 25 percent increase in cost. If this initiative were to be adopted, it is hoped that the Rockford water utility could better serve its customers by bringing in this much-needed additional funding. Many residents would also benefit from adding this meter by reducing the cost of their monthly water bill. This means continued savings to the customer.
Although this proposal sounds like a good idea and would ultimately increase the company’s profits in terms of revenue generated from water use, the question remains. Will the residents of Rockford benefit from the proposed Rockford water mains replacement program? And, if so, how much will they end up paying? Only time will tell.
Rockford Based Drinking Water Standards
Are you a Rockford resident who is concerned about the quality of your drinking supply? Do you want to make sure that your drinking water is safe for consumption, but you don’t know how to get the information you need? The good news is that you can use the Rockford-based drinking water monitoring program, which ensures that the quality of your drinking supply is kept at the highest levels possible. These monitoring programs are carried out by the Consolidated Sewer & Drainage District (CSD), and they ensure that each resident is provided with an unlimited supply of clean, pure water. However, you need to remember that these types of programs only work if the facilities in the area meet adequate standards and if you have done everything you can to maintain the safety of your family.
If your home has not been certified to be part of the drinking water system by the Environmental Protection Agency or the Safe Drinking Water Act, then you need to take immediate action. The drinking water systems in Rockford consist of over 300 different facilities and are required by law to meet specific standards. You should regularly check to ensure that these standards are being met in your community, and you can do this by contacting the county government offices and requesting a sample of your drinking water. This sample will allow you to find out what substances are being added to the water in your community, and you will also be able to determine what steps need to be taken to correct the problems.
The average household uses more than 60 gallons of drinking water per day. Although this may seem like a lot of water, it represents less than one percent of the amount used in the water system throughout the country. There are many harmful contaminants in our drinking water, so we must constantly check to ensure that our local drinking water standards are being met. The best way to check for these problems is to call your local water treatment facility, and they will be able to come to your house and test the quality of your water. If your water contains a problem, they will report these problems to you and any other information they can find.
Rockford Water Supply
Suppose you have a family or are a business owner. In that case, it is imperative to determine if the water source you have in Rockford, Illinois, has been tested by a professional water testing company. Water quality can vary greatly depending on where you live and what is being drunk, used for washing, cooking, and washing fruits, vegetables, and other produce and livestock. Water that is not treated correctly can leave your livestock with stomach and skin issues severe and even fatal. Read on for more information about why it is essential to test for possible harmful impurities.
Testing your Rockford water supply can determine if the level of calcium, magnesium, iron, chloride, sodium, and nitrate is at an acceptable level or if it needs an alternative treatment such as filtration or ionization. In Rockford, ID, many companies test and treat the city’s water supply. These companies offer many different options for you to choose from, including healthy water, spring water, and alternative water sources. Most of the wells are fenced off so that no one can touch the water or draw the water from the wells. In most cases, wells are treated before being sold so that you will never know that there were impurities present in the water when you took a bath, cooked, or used it for laundry.
The test kits can be purchased at your local home improvement store, hardware store, or online. Once you receive the kit, you follow the instructions to test your water supply. If you have tested and found harmful impurities, then you can ask to have the samples tested again at a laboratory. The laboratory will tell you the quality of the water, which will ultimately determine whether you need to install filters, treatment, or both to get rid of your impurities.
Rockford Groundwater
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified Rockford as one of six Superfund sites across the country that have a high level of contamination in their groundwater. According to the EPA, “immediate action is required to mitigate the threats of contaminated soils, surface, and groundwater.” As the EPA points out, “Prolonged use of polluted soils can result in contamination of drinking-water supplies and may also cause or contribute to adverse effects on wildlife.” Studies have shown that drinking water contaminated with high levels of arsenic pose severe threats to human health, particularly to those that are already vulnerable due to other factors like poor nutrition. But did you know that your Rockford groundwater is contaminated with several different chemical contaminants, including:
Not only is your Rockford groundwater being contaminated by arsenic, but several other toxic chemicals and contaminants pose severe threats to the community’s groundwater supply. To make matters worse, the EPA has determined that this pollution is not being cleaned up according to the statutory mandate in the Clean Air Act and that it poses a severe threat to public health and the environment. The EPA has conducted a series of studies and performed a series of examinations and found that this pollution occurs because of inadequate reporting by agencies and lack of enforcement by state enforcement agencies. This has now been labeled a “combined public-health risk.” For this reason, the EPA has placed Rockford as one of the six national priorities lists of the nation’s top priority Pollutant Removal priority.
Studies have shown that the contaminants above are posing significant threats to public health and the environment. However, one crucial fact that should be known is that these contaminants are naturally occurring. All of the pollutants mentioned above will likely be present in groundwater. Although groundwater is considered a “frictional” resource, the EPA recognizes that groundwater can become contaminated through different means such as runoff from agricultural fields, industrial facilities, manufacturing plants, and even human activities like washing and recreation. Any groundwater resources must be protected and managed safely to ensure both natural attenuation and long-term protection of the public’s groundwater resources.