Loading water data...
Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
EPA records for ROCK ISLAND • Updated October 2026
Grade A — based on EPA compliance records, lead testing and PFAS monitoring
ROCK ISLAND has a clean recent record: no health-based violations in the last five years and no lead, PFAS or historical monitoring result that costs it more than a few points.
Yes — by EPA's records Rock Island, IL tap water is safe to drink and earns an A. The grade rests on lead at 5.6 ppb (90th percentile) — under the 15 ppb action level but above 5 ppb and low-level PFAS (PFBA) detected below federal limits. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes — by EPA's records Rock Island, IL tap water is safe to drink and earns an A. The grade rests on lead at 5.6 ppb (90th percentile) — under the 15 ppb action level but above 5 ppb and low-level PFAS (PFBA) detected below federal limits. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
ROCK ISLAND's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2025-07-01 to 2025-12-31) was 5.6 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2023-02-14 to 2023-11-07) detected PFBA, all below federal MCLs. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
ROCK ISLAND has 35 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 3 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
ROCK ISLAND reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 39,018 people (EPA PWSID IL1610650).
Optional but sensible. The findings on this page are below federal limits; an NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter handles lead, PFAS and improves taste.
Compare filter options for your Rock Island tap water
Lead was found at 5.6 ppb (90th percentile) in Rock Island's latest tap sampling — below the action level, but there is no safe level of lead.
See the filters matched to Rock Island's EPA results → — which certification actually removes what was found here, and what it does not touch.
Unsure which contaminants to treat? Compare home kits and certified lab testing before buying.
Amazon. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
ROCK ISLAND · SDWIS records since 2016 · 5-year window starts 2021-09-13
EPA records no health-based violations for this system in the last five years. The 3 violations on file in that window are monitoring or reporting paperwork issues, not measured contaminant exceedances.
| Violation | Category | Compliance period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Consumer Confidence Report Inadequate ReportingConsumer Confidence Rule | Other | 2025-07-01 | Unaddressed |
| Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/RLead and Copper Rule | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-10-01 | Resolvedreturned 2024-03-07 |
| Monitoring, RegularToxaphene | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-04-01 → 2023-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2023-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularEndrin | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularMethoxychlor | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularDiquat | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularDi(2-ethylhexyl) adipate | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularOXAMYL | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularSimazine | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularDi(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularPicloram | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularDinoseb | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularHexachlorocyclopentadiene | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularAldicarb sulfone | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularCarbofuran | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularAldicarb | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularAtrazine | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularLASSO | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularHeptachlor epoxide | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, Regular2,4-D | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, Regular2,4,5-TP | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularHEXACHLOROBENZENE | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularBenzo(a)pyrene | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularETHYLENE DIBROMIDE | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
Showing 25 of 35 violations on file. Full record on EPA ECHO.
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_VIOLATIONS_ENFORCEMENT.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported by ROCK ISLAND
Below the action level, but detectable. In the most recent monitoring period on file (2025-07-01 to 2025-12-31), 90% of the homes ROCK ISLAND sampled had lead at or below 5.6 ppb.
EPA's action level is 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb under the 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). There is no safe level of lead; the 90th-percentile figure describes the system, not your tap — homes with lead service lines or pre-1986 plumbing can be higher.
| Monitoring period | Lead 90th percentile | vs 15 ppb action level |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-01 → 2025-12-31 | 5.6 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2025-01-01 → 2025-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2025-01-01 → 2025-06-30 | 6 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2021-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | 1.8 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2018-01-01 → 2020-12-31 | 5.7 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2015-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | 1.4 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2012-01-01 → 2014-12-31 | 1.5 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2011-01-01 → 2013-12-31 | 4.7 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2009-01-01 → 2011-12-31 | 4.7 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2008-01-01 → 2010-12-31 | 4.9 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2005-01-01 → 2007-12-31 | 9 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2002-01-01 → 2004-12-31 | 12 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_LCR_SAMPLES.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA UCMR5 monitoring, 2023-02-14 to 2023-11-07 · 116 PFAS results at entry points to the distribution system
PFBA detected at low levels; no compound was at or above its federal MCL. Detections below the MCL are common in surface-water systems and are reported here exactly as EPA published them.
| Compound | Detects / samples | Max (ppt) | Reporting limit | EPA MCL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 0 / 4 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFOS | 0 / 4 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS | 0 / 4 | < 3 | 3 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFNA | 0 / 4 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA | 0 / 4 | < 5 | 5 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFBS | 0 / 4 | < 3 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFBA | 4 / 4 | 16 | 5 ppt | hazard index only |
“< 4 ppt” means below the laboratory reporting limit, not zero. ppt = parts per trillion (ng/L). Results are for finished water leaving the treatment plant.
What PFAS are and how to remove them → · Best filters for PFAS →
Source: UCMR5 occurrence data, EPA Data Summary July 2026 (UCMR5_All.txt)
EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance samples for ROCK ISLAND · finished water only · dated data, released 2024
These are the regulated-contaminant samples ROCK ISLAND reported to its state between 2012 and 2019 — the most recent nationwide sample-level dataset EPA has published. Total trihalomethanes (TTHM), Haloacetic acids (HAA5) are flagged below; the status column explains why. Treat this as history, not today's tap water.
| Contaminant | Samples | Average | Max | EPA limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 82 detects | 0.3 µg/L | 1.2 µg/L | 10 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Nitrate (as N) | 9 | 1.742 mg/L | 2.6 mg/L | 10 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Fluoride | 8 | 0.881 mg/L | 1.23 mg/L | 4 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Chromium (total) | 80 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 100 µg/LMCL | Not detected |
| Radium-226/228 | 10 detects | 0 pCi/L | ND | 5 pCi/LMCL | Not detected |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 128 | 42.814 µg/L | 101.65 µg/L | 80 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | 4 single samples over MCL; average within limit |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 128 | 37.224 µg/L | 74.9 µg/L | 60 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | 3 single samples over MCL; average within limit |
| Lead (tap samples) | 6013 detects | 0.467 µg/L | 5.3 µg/L | 15 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
| Copper (tap samples) | 6059 detects | 67.423 µg/L | 360 µg/L | 1300 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
Averages count non-detects as zero. TTHM and HAA5 limits are locational running annual averages, so a single high sample is not a violation — we grade those on the average only. Lead and copper rows are individual tap samples and are shown for context; compliance (and our score) uses the 90th-percentile result above. LRAA = locational running annual average; ND = not detected.
Source: SYR4 Six-Year Review compliance monitoring data 2012–2019 (released 2024-03)
A point-of-use (under-sink) system typically runs $200-$600 installed; whole-house treatment $1,000-$3,000+ depending on flow and what has to come out. Tell us where you are and a certified water-treatment installer serving Rock Island will follow up - no obligation.
ROCK ISLAND · 12,082 service lines inventoried · Q2 2026 snapshot
ROCK ISLAND reports 207 service lines that are lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement (1.7% of the lines it has inventoried), plus 9,258 lines whose material is still unknown. A lead service line is the pipe between the water main and a building, so treated water can pick up lead after it leaves the plant — which city-level testing does not capture. Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, utilities must replace lead lines within 10 years starting in 2027.
Source: EPA SDWIS Service Line Inventory (Q2 2026) · PWS ID IL1610650 · See all Illinois lead service lines. We may earn a commission from filters and test kits, at no extra cost to you.
Surface-water systems draw from rivers, lakes or reservoirs and must filter and disinfect, which is why disinfection byproducts (TTHM, HAA5) are the readings to watch.
How to test your tap water and the treatment options that actually fit Rock Island homes
The most reliable way to know what is actually coming out of your tap is a certified mail-in lab test. City-wide EPA data (like the report above) reflects the water leaving the treatment plant, but contaminants such as lead and copper can be picked up from your own service line and household plumbing — so the water at your Rock Island faucet can differ from the system average. A state-certified lab measures dozens of contaminants at once with results you can trust; you can also find one near you through the EPA's certified-lab list at epa.gov/dwlabcert. Hardware-store test strips are cheaper and instant, but they only screen for a few basics (chlorine, hardness, pH, and a rough lead pass/fail) and are far less accurate — treat them as a first look, not a diagnosis.
Match the treatment to what your test finds. Reverse osmosis (RO) removes the widest range of contaminants — lead, arsenic, nitrate, PFAS, and dissolved solids — which makes an under-sink reverse osmosis system the most thorough choice for Rock Island households with heavy-metal or PFAS concerns. If your main issue is taste, odor, or chlorine, an activated carbon filter (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) is simpler and cheaper and handles chlorine and many organic compounds well, though carbon alone does not remove arsenic, nitrate, or most PFAS. NSF-certified pitchers rated for lead reduction are the easiest way to start today while you decide on a permanent setup.
We may earn a commission from testing kits and filters purchased through these links, at no extra cost to you.
What Rock Island residents measured at their own tap (ZIPs 61201). All reader results →
Reader submissions are unverified and shown separately from EPA data. They reflect one tap on one day, not the utility's compliance record.
No reader results for Rock Island yet - yours would be the first. A hardness or TDS number from a $10 strip kit is enough to start the map.
Help build the first reader-sourced water map. Enter whatever your test strip, TDS pen or lab report shows - one number is enough.
Rock Island ranks #35 of 56 graded Illinois cities.
Deep-dive guides for the specific contaminants EPA data flagged in Rock Island's water, with removal options for each.
Yes — by EPA's records Rock Island, IL tap water is safe to drink and earns an A. The grade rests on lead at 5.6 ppb (90th percentile) — under the 15 ppb action level but above 5 ppb and low-level PFAS (PFBA) detected below federal limits. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
ROCK ISLAND's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2025-07-01 to 2025-12-31) was 5.6 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2023-02-14 to 2023-11-07) detected PFBA, all below federal MCLs. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
ROCK ISLAND has 35 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 3 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
ROCK ISLAND reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 39,018 people (EPA PWSID IL1610650).
Optional but sensible. The findings on this page are below federal limits; an NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter handles lead, PFAS and improves taste.
Lead was found at 5.6 ppb (90th percentile) in Rock Island's latest tap sampling — below the action level, but there is no safe level of lead.
Most Popular for Lead
ZeroWater 10-Cup Pitcher
NSF 53 certified to reduce lead & chromium — no installation, the easiest way to start protecting your water today.
Check Price on AmazonCompare direct from Waterdrop
Filters rated for lead reduction
Waterdrop's lead collection — every filter here is selected for lead reduction, so you can compare options rated for this exact problem.
Shop Filters Rated for Lead →Whole-Home Filtration System
Whole-house system — treats every tap at the source
For consistently poor water, a whole-home system filters every faucet, shower, and appliance — the permanent, install-once fix that goes beyond a single point-of-use filter.
Explore Whole-Home SystemsNot sure what filter you need?
Test your tap water first, so you filter for what's actually in it.
Shop Home Water Test Kits →We may earn a commission from Amazon and Waterdrop when you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Based on contaminants detected in your water, these resources may be helpful:
Find the right filter for your Rock Island water quality needs:
Tap water is one piece of the picture — our sister sites cover the rest for Rock Island, IL.
County radon prediction and EPA zone for homes around Rock Island.
Arsenic and nitrate risk for homes on a well instead of city water.
Understand your water better with our in-depth guides on contaminants, filtration, and water safety.