PlainWater
States → Illinois

SYCAMORE

PWS ID: IL0370550 · SYCAMORE, Illinois 60178

SYCAMORE serves 18,500 people in SYCAMORE, Illinois using Groundwater water sources. It has 212 recorded EPA violations, including 170 health-based violations. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in UCMR5 testing (1 compound found).

Water Quality Snapshot: SYCAMORE

SYCAMORE is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 18,500 residents in SYCAMORE, Illinois (DeKalb County) through 6,918 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 212 total violations for this system , of which 170 (80%) are health-based — meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 19 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2024.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Combined Radium (-226 and -228), recorded in 159 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 1 PFAS compound was detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 20.3 ppt. PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across Illinois, EPA tracks 5,117 public water systems serving 12,576,876 people, with 355,322 cumulative violations and 52,932 health-based violations on record. About 81% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 69.4 violations. SYCAMORE's 212 violations sit above the Illinois average. Statewide, 199 of 487 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (40.9%). All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

1 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
18,500
Total Violations
212
Health-Based Violations
170
Water Source
Groundwater

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
6,918
County
DeKalb
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
170
Monitoring Violations
19
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MCL 159 2009
Barium MCL 11 1996
Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MR 10 2022
Public Notice Other 8 2004
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 4 2024
TTHM MR 4 2024
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 2 2024
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U MR 1 1977

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 9 of 300 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
lithium 9/20/2024 15.9000 µg/L 9 µg/L Detected
8:2 FTS 9/20/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
4:2 FTS 9/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFHpS 9/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFPeS 9/20/2024 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
NFDHA 9/20/2024 <0.02 µg/L 0.02 µg/L Not Detected
PFEESA 9/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFMBA 9/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFPeA 9/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFBS 9/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFUnA 9/20/2024 <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Not Detected
PFTA 9/20/2024 <0.008 µg/L 0.008 µg/L Not Detected
PFTrDA 9/20/2024 <0.007 µg/L 0.007 µg/L Not Detected
PFMPA 9/20/2024 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 9/20/2024 <0.006 µg/L 0.006 µg/L Not Detected
PFHpA 9/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFHxS 9/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFNA 9/20/2024 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFOS 9/20/2024 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFOA 9/20/2024 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
HFPO-DA 9/20/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 9/20/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
PFDA 9/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFBA 9/20/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
6:2 FTS 9/20/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
ADONA 9/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 9/20/2024 <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 9/20/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
PFHxA 9/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFDoA 9/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 9/18/2024 <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Not Detected
PFTrDA 9/18/2024 <0.007 µg/L 0.007 µg/L Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 9/18/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 9/18/2024 <0.006 µg/L 0.006 µg/L Not Detected
PFUnA 9/18/2024 <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Not Detected
PFBS 9/18/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFHpA 9/18/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFHxS 9/18/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFNA 9/18/2024 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFOS 9/18/2024 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFOA 9/18/2024 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFDA 9/18/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFDoA 9/18/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFTA 9/18/2024 <0.008 µg/L 0.008 µg/L Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 9/18/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
8:2 FTS 9/18/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
ADONA 9/18/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
HFPO-DA 9/18/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
PFBA 9/18/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
6:2 FTS 9/18/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records — or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status — go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for SYCAMORE.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS — Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID IL0370550 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Illinois Drinking Water Authority

Illinois EPA — Bureau of Water is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects SYCAMORE under EPA-delegated authority.

Open IL regulator portal

Source: Illinois EPA — Bureau of Water

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2024 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 4 SDWIS / IL0370550 / 2456
2024 TTHM MR 4 SDWIS / IL0370550 / 2950
2024 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 2 SDWIS / IL0370550 / 7000
2022 Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MR 10 SDWIS / IL0370550 / 4010
2009 Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MCL 159 SDWIS / IL0370550 / 4010
2004 Public Notice Other 8 SDWIS / IL0370550 / 7500
1996 Barium MCL 11 SDWIS / IL0370550 / 1010
1977 Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U MR 1 SDWIS / IL0370550 / 4000

How SYCAMORE Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric SYCAMORE Illinois avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 212 69.4 SDWA compliance — any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 170 10.3 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 1 compound 40.9% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 18,500 2,458 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 5,117 regulated public water systems in Illinois.

Federal MCL reference — Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SYCAMORE water safe to drink? ▼
SYCAMORE (PWS ID: IL0370550) has 212 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 1 PFAS compound found. This system serves 18,500 people using Groundwater sources.
How many people does SYCAMORE serve? ▼
SYCAMORE serves 18,500 people in SYCAMORE, Illinois. It is a Local-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 6,918 service connections.
What type of violations does SYCAMORE have? ▼
SYCAMORE has 212 total violations: 170 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 19 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in SYCAMORE water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 1 PFAS compound in SYCAMORE's water supply: lithium. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does SYCAMORE use? ▼
SYCAMORE uses Groundwater as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from? ▼
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Explore PlainWater

Water in Illinois

All systems in state
All States

Water quality by state
Contaminants

PFAS & other pollutants
Guides

Understanding water quality

Related Data for Illinois

Environmental Data → Natural Hazards → Air Quality → Healthcare Access → Climate Data →
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Related

Browse all → | Rankings →
Data sourced from $official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial