Is Champaign tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

Champaign's water meets EPA minimum standards but has some concerns. Filtration is recommended for sensitive individuals.

73/100
Purity Score
3
Issues Found
14.5 GPG
Hardness
Not detected
PFAS

3 Issues Detected in Champaign

Very Hard Water (14.5 GPG)

Hard water causes scale in pipes and shortens appliance lifespan.

Hardness data for Champaign

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Champaign

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.3 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Champaign
Illinois

618,206,182,161,822 · Mahomet Aquifer groundwater

Champaign, IL Water Quality Report

Moderate Risk Updated March 2026 88,302 residents
See Best Filters for Champaign
73
Purity Score

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
ND
Lead
3 ppb
Nitrate
1.5 mg/L
Arsenic
0.3 mg/L
Hardness
14.5 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    At 14.5 GPG, Champaign's water qualifies as very hard. This can cause limescale in pipes and shorten appliance lifespan.
  • 2
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Champaign's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

73 /100
Moderate
"Good" threshold (70)

Champaign tap water is sourced from Mahomet Aquifer groundwater and treated by Illinois American Water Champaign. Water hardness is very hard at 14.5 GPG which may cause scale buildup. TDS is 580 ppm which is above the EPA secondary guideline of 500 ppm. Overall purity score: 73/100 (Moderate). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Champaign's 3 issues.

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Champaign Water FAQ

Is Champaign IL tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Champaign tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 73/100 (Moderate) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Champaign IL use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Champaign uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.4 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.
How hard is Champaign IL water and what is the TDS level?
Champaign water hardness is 14.5 grains per gallon (very hard) with a TDS of 580 ppm (unacceptable). This level causes noticeable scale buildup in water heaters kettles and dishwashers. A water softener is recommended to protect plumbing and reduce soap usage.
Has PFAS been found in Champaign IL drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Champaign drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Champaign?
Based on Champaign's water profile, we recommend the AFWFilters 5600sxt 48000 Grain Softener. Champaign has very hard water (14.5 GPG) and elevated chlorine. A whole-house carbon plus softener system handles both.

Nearby Reports

RockfordIllinois — 58/100ElginIllinois — 75/100AuroraIllinois — 79/100NapervilleIllinois — 79/100PeoriaIllinois — 79/100JolietIllinois — 79/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • Illinois American Water Champaign CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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