What was found in Lincoln'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 2256.5 µg/L 23% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 2015 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 1277.25 µg/L 98% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2017 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 1140 µg/L 28% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2017 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 35.755 µg/L 45% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 39.825 µg/L — LINCOLN CORRECTIONAL CENTER · 1,036 people · 2017 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 21.665 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 23.1 µg/L — LINCOLN CORRECTIONAL CENTER · 1,036 people · 2017 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 15.6 µg/L 26% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2019 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 10.605 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 12.925 µg/L — LINCOLN CORRECTIONAL CENTER · 1,036 people · 2017 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 7.665 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 10.675 µg/L — LINCOLN CORRECTIONAL CENTER · 1,036 people · 2017 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 7.405 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2019 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 4.835 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 5.575 µg/L — LINCOLN CORRECTIONAL CENTER · 1,036 people · 2017 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 5 µg/L 50% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2017 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 4.495 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 2.6 µg/L 17% of the EPA limit 15 µg/L Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2017 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 2.12 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 1.19 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 0.8100 pCi/L 16% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2014 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Pfba | 0.2332 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2025 | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfpea | 0.0078 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2025 | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfhxa | 0.0059 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2025 | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| PFOA | 0.0057 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2025 | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfhpa | 0.0039 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2025 | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Lead | 0.0020 mg/L 13% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN · 15,200 people · 2025 | 2/3 | 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 Lincoln
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| IL AMERICAN-LINCOLN | 15,200 |
| LOGAN CORRECTIONAL CENTER | 1,500 |
| LINCOLN CORRECTIONAL CENTER | 1,036 |
Frequently asked questions about Lincoln tap water
Is Lincoln tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 23 contaminants in the water serving Lincoln. 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 Lincoln?
3 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Lincoln, Illinois to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Lincoln's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Lincoln include Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrite, Copper, Fluoride, 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.