What was found in Galesburg's water
The level at the city's main supplier, the highest level anywhere in the city, the EPA limit for each, and where every figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluoride | 1896 µg/L 47% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2018 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 715.5 µg/L 55% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 1235 µg/L — WINDWOOD WATER SYSTEM, INC. · 185 people · 2019 | 2/2 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate | 340 µg/L 3.4% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2019 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 303 µg/L 3% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2018 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 75.997 µg/L 95% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2019 | 2/2 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 71.4 µg/L 3.6% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2018 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 56.692 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2019 | 2/2 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 42.7 µg/L 71% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 43.24 µg/L — WINDWOOD WATER SYSTEM, INC. · 185 people · 2019 | 2/2 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 21.52 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 25.18 µg/L — WINDWOOD WATER SYSTEM, INC. · 185 people · 2019 | 2/2 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 21.96 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2019 | 2/2 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 18.3 µg/L 122% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 15 µg/L Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2019 | 2/2 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 15.62 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 16.692 µg/L — WINDWOOD WATER SYSTEM, INC. · 185 people · 2019 | 2/2 | SYR4 |
| Xylenes, Total | 12 µg/L 0.1% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2018 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 8.176 pCi/L 164% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 pCi/L Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2018 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 5.176 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2019 | 2/2 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 4.9 µg/L 9.8% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2018 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 2.958 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 3.26 µg/L — WINDWOOD WATER SYSTEM, INC. · 185 people · 2019 | 2/2 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 2.14 µg/L 21% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2018 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 1.7105 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2019 | 2/2 | SYR4 |
| Ethylbenzene | 1.5 µg/L 0.2% of the EPA limit 700 µg/L Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2018 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Pfba | 0.0850 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2023 | 1/2 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfpea | 0.0150 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2023 | 1/2 | UCMR-5 |
| PFOA | 0.0140 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2023 | 1/2 | UCMR-5 |
| PFBS | 0.0066 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2023 | 1/2 | UCMR-5 |
| PFOS | 0.0042 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2023 | 1/2 | UCMR-5 |
| Lead | 0.0 mg/L 0% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: GALESBURG · 31,620 people · 2025 | 2/2 | LCR |
Each bar shows the measured level as a share of the EPA limit: green is
well under, amber is close to it, red is over. For lead and copper the
limit applies to exactly the 90th-percentile figure shown, so red there
means a real exceedance. For everything else the limit applies to a
running annual average while the figure is the 95th percentile of the
system's samples — over 100% is worth reading, but is not by itself a
violation.
Formal violations are listed separately.
These are the utilities' own EPA-reported results, not a city-wide
average. A detection means the lab measured the
substance — it isn't the same as exceeding a legal limit. Hover a source
tag to see the EPA program and years behind each figure.
Water suppliers serving Galesburg
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| GALESBURG | 31,620 |
| WINDWOOD WATER SYSTEM, INC. | 185 |
Frequently asked questions about Galesburg tap water
Is Galesburg tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 26 contaminants in the water serving Galesburg. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Galesburg?
2 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Galesburg, Illinois to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Galesburg's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Galesburg include Fluoride, Copper, Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrite, TTHM. The full list, with the level at the main supplier and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.