Peoria, Illinois Water Quality Report, Explained

Illinois American Water's Peoria district water is very hard, 19–37 grains per gallon, from the Illinois River and three well sites. Its 2025 report lists sodium of 36.5–91.4 ppm, PFOA and PFOS averages of 2.1 and 2.5 ppt, and a lead action level exceedance in both 2025 monitoring periods tied to service lines and household plumbing.

Two documents

The annual water quality report, also called a Consumer Confidence Report, covers what was detected in 2025 against federal limits, plus unregulated substances the utility sampled. The typical water quality information sheet lists everyday characteristics like pH and hardness. Hardness appears only on the sheet: 300 to 600 mg/L, which the utility converts to 19 to 37 grains per gallon. Both cover public water system IL1435030, and both are free on Illinois American Water's website. If a salesperson quotes a hardness number, ask which of these it came from.

The numbers that shape treatment

• Hardness, 19 to 37 gpg: the reason for a softener, and for sizing it generously.
• Sodium, 36.5 to 91.4 ppm: already present before softening; RO at the sink lowers it.
• Chloramine, 2 to 3 ppm: the disinfectant; catalytic carbon reduces its taste.
• Nitrate, 0.16 to 4.25 ppm: below the 10 ppm limit. The report notes farm chemicals can rise seasonally in the Illinois River, and Illinois requires full treatment of all river supplies.
• Fluoride, 0.52 to 0.69 ppm: added by the utility.

Lead

The 2025 report states that more than 10% of lead samples exceeded the 15 ppb action level in both halves of 2025. The utility is changing corrosion control treatment with Illinois EPA and replacing lead service lines at 3% a year, and it offers sampling by request. Its tips include flushing a tap that has sat unused for hours, using cold water for drinking and cooking, and picking filters with NSF 53 certification.

PFAS

The report says 2021 statewide sampling found PFAS above the Illinois EPA health advisory level and that follow-up monitoring continues. The 2025 averages were 2.1 ppt for PFOA and 2.5 ppt for PFOS, against EPA's 4.0 ppt limits. It also cautions against comparing one PFAS compound's result with another's.

From report to decision

Hardness points to water softener installation; sodium, lead and PFAS point to reverse osmosis at the kitchen sink. None of the report's figures replaces a test at your own faucet, since your pipes, your service line and any existing equipment all change what comes out. Prices for both options are on the Peoria, IL water softener cost page.