What was found in Columbia'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 480.3999999999993 µg/L 37% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: COLUMBIA · 11,129 people · 2017 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 73.36 µg/L 92% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L Main supplier: COLUMBIA · 11,129 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 58.040000000000006 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: COLUMBIA · 11,129 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 41.36000000000001 µg/L 69% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L Main supplier: COLUMBIA · 11,129 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 28.2 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: COLUMBIA · 11,129 people · 2025 | 1/1 | UCMR-5 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 20.140000000000004 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: COLUMBIA · 11,129 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 19.200000000000003 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: COLUMBIA · 11,129 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 18.84 µg/L 126% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 15 µg/L Main supplier: COLUMBIA · 11,129 people · 2017 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 11.860000000000001 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: COLUMBIA · 11,129 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 3.2199999999999984 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: COLUMBIA · 11,129 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 2.995 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: COLUMBIA · 11,129 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 2.355 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: COLUMBIA · 11,129 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 1.46 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: COLUMBIA · 11,129 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Pfba | 0.0115 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: COLUMBIA · 11,129 people · 2025 | 1/1 | UCMR-5 |
| PFBS | 0.0034 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: COLUMBIA · 11,129 people · 2025 | 1/1 | UCMR-5 |
| Lead | 0.0 mg/L 0% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: COLUMBIA · 11,129 people · 2025 | 1/1 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Columbia
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| COLUMBIA | 11,129 |
Frequently asked questions about Columbia tap water
Is Columbia tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 16 contaminants in the water serving Columbia. 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 Columbia?
1 public water supplier report drinking-water monitoring for Columbia, Illinois to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Columbia's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Columbia include Copper, TTHM, Chloroform, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Lithium. 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.