IL American-Peoria Community Water System, Six Satellite Systems, and One Emergency Connection Notified of Right-to-Know Requirements

PFAS Compound Detected in Groundwater; System Owners/Operators, Private Well Owners, and all Residents are Encouraged to Reduce PFAS Exposure

Springfield - The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) is notifying the owners and operators of the IL American-Peoria Community Water System (CWS), T-L Rural Water District CWS, Kingston Mines CWS, Mapleton CWS, Deluxe Lake Estates Mobile Home Park CWS, Dunlap CWS, Hanna City CWS, and Peoria Heights there has been a detection of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) compound, in water samples collected by IL-American-Peoria CWS, as part of the PFAS Initial Monitoring Period, which began in April 2026. T-L Rural Water District, Kingston Mines, Mapleton, Deluxe Lake Estates MHP, Dunlap, and Hanna City CWSs purchase water from IL American-Peoria CWS. Peoria Heights has an emergency connection from IL American-Peoria CWS, which is not used regularly but is authorized for use in the event that other drinking water sources are unavailable. All of the water systems are in Peoria County. The sample identified PFOA at 4.6 parts per trillion (ppt), which is above the Illinois Class I groundwater quality standard of 4 ppt. In April of 2025, these seven systems were also notified of a detection of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) following the adoption of PFAS groundwater quality standards.

"Illinois EPA has proactively worked to protect Illinois communities from potential PFAS exposure, which led to the adoption of state groundwater quality and drinking water standards that are among the strongest in the nation," said Illinois EPA Director James Jennings. "If those standards are exceeded, state law requires public transparency. This notification both satisfies state law and serves as a reminder to all residents to reduce exposure to PFAS compounds, which can be found in everyday products and the environment."

The 2009 Right-to-Know law requires owners and operators of CWSs to notify their customers when groundwater contamination poses a threat of exposure to the public above the Class I groundwater quality standards. In 2025, Illinois adopted new groundwater quality standards for six PFAS, based on the most recent scientific information available. Those include PFOA, PFOS,hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid, also known as GenX (HFPO-DA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), pefluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS).

In January 2026, Illinois also adopted amendments to Illinois drinking water regulations that are identical in substance to science-based Biden-era U.S. EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs/federal drinking water standards) for certain PFAS. Illinois CWSs were required to begin sampling for those PFAS in April 2026 and must comply with the federal MCLs for PFAS by April 2029. IL American-Peoria began routinely sampling for multiple PFAS in 2022.

PFAS have been used in a wide range of consumer products, industrial processes, and in some fire-fighting foams (called aqueous film-forming foam or AFFF) since the 1940s. This has resulted in the release of PFAS into the air, water, and soil. PFAS do not easily break down under natural conditions and are often referred to as "forever chemicals."

PFAS are stable, persistent chemicals that bioaccumulate in blood and organs over time. Current scientific literature indicates that people are primarily exposed to PFAS through the ingestion of food and water. Everyone is encouraged to be proactive in reducing the risks from PFAS contamination, not only in drinking water, but through the other common routes of exposure. Illustrative strategies include:

• Choosing stainless steel, cast iron, or non-stick cookware that does not contain PFAS.
• Avoiding water repellents on clothing.
• Using personal care products without "PTFE" or "Fluoro" ingredients.
• Using water filters designed to remove PFAS (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 standards).