Is Decatur tap water safe to drink?

Yes with good quality

Decatur's tap water meets all EPA standards and scores well on our analysis. It is generally safe to drink though filtration can improve taste and provide extra precaution.

82/100
Purity Score
2
Issues Found
6.8 GPG
Hardness
Not detected
PFAS

2 Issues Detected in Decatur

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Decatur

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.3 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Decatur
Illinois

625,216,252,262,523 · Lake Decatur Sangamon River

Decatur, IL Water Quality Report

Low Risk Updated March 2026 72,655 residents
See Best Filters for Decatur
82
Purity Score

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
ND
Lead
4 ppb
Nitrate
0.7 mg/L
Arsenic
0.3 mg/L
Hardness
6.8 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Decatur's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

82 /100
Good
"Good" threshold (70)

Decatur tap water is sourced from Lake Decatur Sangamon River and treated by City of Decatur Water. Overall purity score: 82/100 (Good). Updated for 2026.

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Best filters matched to Decatur's 2 issues.

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Decatur Water FAQ

Is Decatur IL tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Decatur tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 82/100 (Good) 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 Decatur IL use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Decatur uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.5 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 Decatur IL water and what is the TDS level?
Decatur water hardness is 6.8 grains per gallon (moderate) with a TDS of 235 ppm (fair). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Decatur IL drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Decatur drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Decatur?
Based on Decatur's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Decatur has elevated chlorine residuals. An under-sink carbon filter removes chlorine and disinfection byproducts at the tap.

Nearby Reports

RockfordIllinois — 58/100ChampaignIllinois — 73/100ElginIllinois — 75/100AuroraIllinois — 79/100NapervilleIllinois — 79/100PeoriaIllinois — 79/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • City of Decatur Water CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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