Disclaimer
This website is an independent, community-created resource. It is not affiliated with Illinois American Water, the City of Peoria, the Illinois EPA, the U.S. EPA, or any other state or federal authority. Information is provided for educational and outreach purposes only. For official updates and requirements, please refer directly to Illinois American Water or relevant government agencies.
What happened?
During routine monitoring of the Peoria District water system, 14 samples exceeded the lead action level of 15 ppb. A total of 103 samples were collected in early 2025. Exceedances are specific to the individual sites tested.
Read the official notice:
Illinois American Water - Drinking Water Notice (Peoria)
Archived copy:
archive.is/KEx2m
What this means for you
The EPA's action level is 15 parts per billion (ppb) for lead at the tap. Exceedances do not mean every home is affected, but they signal that some homes have elevated lead levels. The EPA has set the maximum contaminant level goal for lead in drinking water at zero (0 ppb). Lead is a toxic metal that is persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the body over time.
- Infants & children: Increased risk of decreased IQ, learning and behavior problems.
- Pregnancy: Exposure before or during pregnancy can increase risks of adverse health effects for the child.
- Adults: Possible increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system issues.
No safe blood level has been identified for young children. All sources of lead exposure for children should be controlled. Lead can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels.
The steps on this page help reduce exposure while longer-term infrastructure work proceeds.
Next Steps
1. Test your water for lead
The first step in protecting your household is to know whether lead is present in your drinking water. Testing is the only way to confirm exposure because you cannot see, taste, or smell lead in water.
Illinois American Water provides lead sampling kits at no cost to eligible customers. By contacting the Water Quality Team, you can request a kit, learn more about your address, and receive personalized guidance based on your results. If you are unsure about your service line material, requesting a kit is also a good way to begin the process of documenting your property for the state's replacement program.
Preview Inquiry Email Template
Hello Illinois American Water Quality Team,
I am a customer in Peoria and I would like to inquire about the water quality at my address.
Could you please let me know if I am eligible to receive a lead sampling kit, and share any
available information about the service line material at my home?
Service address: [enter]
Account name/number: [enter]
Best contact: [phone/email]
Thank you for your time and assistance.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
2. Identify your service line material
It is important to know what material your water service line is made of. The service line is the pipe that connects your home to the public water main. If this line (or portions of it) is made of lead, it can be a source of lead in your drinking water.
Illinois law now requires every water utility to build a complete inventory of service line materials. By checking and reporting your line, you not only learn about your own risk, but also help your community prioritize funding and scheduling for lead service line replacements.
3. Filter your drinking water
Properly installed and maintained filters give you an immediate safeguard while the community works to identify and replace lead service lines.
- Certified filters: Use NSF/ANSI 53-certified carbon filters or NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis systems.
- Regular maintenance: Replace cartridges and membranes on schedule.
- Use cold water: Always filter cold water, not hot water.
4. Use good daily practices
- Flush standing water: Run cold water after periods of non-use.
- Use cold water only: For drinking, cooking, and baby formula.
- Maintain faucets: Clean aerators and flush after plumbing work.
- Pair with filtration: Combine daily practices with certified filters.
Filtration basics & certified options
NSF/ANSI 53 vs. NSF/ANSI 58 (what’s the difference?)
| Standard | What it certifies | Typical products |
|---|---|---|
| NSF/ANSI 53 | Performance for health effects contaminant reduction such as lead, cysts, some VOCs, etc. Products meeting “lead reduction” under 53 are tested to reduce lead to below the standard’s limits. | Pitcher filters, faucet-mount units, under-sink carbon block systems |
| NSF/ANSI 58 | Performance of reverse osmosis (RO) systems, including reduction of total dissolved solids and various contaminants (can include lead when claimed). | Under-sink RO systems (with storage tank), some tankless RO units |
What is Reverse Osmosis (RO)?
Reverse osmosis forces water through a semi-permeable membrane that rejects dissolved ions and many contaminants. RO systems typically include pre-filters (sediment, carbon), the RO membrane, and a post-filter. They discharge a small amount of concentrate (“waste” water) and usually store treated water in a small tank. Many RO systems are certified under NSF/ANSI 58.
Examples of product families with certified models
The exact model number matters. Always verify certification for “lead reduction” (NSF/ANSI 53) or RO (NSF/ANSI 58) on the manufacturer’s site or a certification directory before purchasing. Replace cartridges as specified.
- Brita Elite (Longlast+) pitcher filter - check specific models
- PUR pitcher filters - select “lead reduction” cartridges
- ZeroWater - select models that list lead reduction under NSF/ANSI 53
- PUR Plus faucet systems - “lead reduction” variants
- Brita Complete faucet systems - check for 53 lead claim
- Aquasana AQ-5300+ / Claryum series - lead reduction variants
- 3M/Cuno & A.O. Smith under-sink units - models with 53 lead claim
- Aquasana OptimH2O RO
- A. O. Smith AO-US-RO series
- APEC “Top Tier” series (select certified models)
Tip: Look for labels stating “NSF/ANSI 53 lead reduction” or “NSF/ANSI 58” on the box/manual and confirm the exact model number in an official certification directory. If a product only lists “NSF 42,” that is for taste/odor (chlorine) and not lead.