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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 61109 Water Quality & Testing Report

Rockford, IL · Winnebago County County · Updated for 2026

Sahajul HaqueCompiled & verified by Sahajul Haque from official EPA SDWIS records
Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 61109 (Rockford, IL)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 61109 (Rockford, IL) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of F (33/100) due to 1 health violation(s) and 14.0 ppb lead. While treated by Rockford, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
F

Water Safety Grade

Failing — Serious compliance issues

Health Violations

1

Total Violations

11

Lead Risk

Very High

Contaminants

1

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 3 unresolved violations. Contact Rockford for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 61109

Tap water in ZIP code 61109 (Rockford, IL) is distributed by Rockford (EPA ID: IL2010300), serving approximately 147,051 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of F with a composite quality score of 33/100.

Water System

Rockford

EPA ID: IL2010300

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

147,051 residents

County

Winnebago County County, Illinois

🧪

Lead Levels in ZIP 61109

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 14.0 ppb — Moderate

The 90th percentile lead level in 61109 is 14.0 ppb. This is below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, but above ideal health goals. Consider a certified lead-reducing filter.

Lead exposure risk in 61109 is rated Very High. EPA models estimate a 74% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
14.00 ppb (0.014 mg/L)
Lead (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

6 ppb
Copper (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

1.1 ppb
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Very High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

74%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
🪨

Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Very Hard14.4 GPG · 247 mg/L

Water in ZIP 61109 is Very Hard (247 mg/L / 14.4 GPG). High concentrations of dissolved limestone minerals cause severe mineral buildup, stiff laundry, dry skin, and premature water heater wear.

Recommendation: A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

14.4 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

247 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Rockford · PWSID: IL2010300

Verify on EPA.gov
📋

Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Rockford has recorded 1 health-based violation out of 11 total violations over the past 5 years. 3 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
11
Health-Based Violations
1
Unresolved Violations
3
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Critical based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 1 contaminant with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Stage 2 DBP Rule.

Stage 2 DBP Rule

From Consumer Confidence Report:

Copper (1.1 ppm); Likely Source of ContaminationCombined Radium226/228 (4 pCi/L); Tetrachloroethylene (2.7 ppb)

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 10 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
🌊

Water Source & Environmental Factors

Ground Water

This system draws water from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through soil and rock, but can still contain naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, radium, or nitrates.

Water Source Type
Ground Water
CCR Source Classification
Ground Water
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$1
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

2.03%

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 61109

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 61109 served by Rockford can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in IL for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 61109 Recommendations

  • 🚨 Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • 🚨 Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • 🚨 Contact Rockford to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • 🚨 Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • 🚨 Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

REQUIRED FOR SAFETY
🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Certified to remove lead. Recommended for immediate protection.

Lead Filter Guide →
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
⚗️

NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Reverse Osmosis system certified to remove PFAS, heavy metals, and viruses.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 61109 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 61109?+
Tap water in 61109 has a below-average safety grade of F due to compliance issues. We recommend using a certified water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 61109 (Rockford, IL)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 61109, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in IL. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 61109?+
Tap water in 61109 is classified as Very Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 247 mg/L (14.4 GPG). A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Should I test private well water in 61109?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 61109 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 61109 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 61109 is 14.0 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 61109?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 61109. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 61109?+
Tap water in ZIP code 61109 is provided by Rockford (EPA ID: IL2010300), serving approximately 147,051 residents.
What water filter should I use in 61109?+
Based on water metrics for 61109, we recommend Reverse Osmosis (PFAS & Lead). Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 58 (Reverse Osmosis), NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead & VOCs), NSF/ANSI P473 (PFAS/PFOS).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 61109 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Rockford. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →