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Biggsville - Raritan, IL

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Serves 350 people - Test data available: 2004-2009

This drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. It is part of EWG's national database that includes 47,667 drinking water utilities and 20 million test results. Water utilities nationwide detected more than 300 pollutants between 2004 and 2009. More than half of these chemicals are unregulated, legal in any amount. Despite this widespread contamination, the federal government invests few resources to protecting rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater from pollution in the first place. The information below summarizes test results for this utility and lists potential health concerns.

	This Drinking Water System	National Average
Exceed Health GuidelinesTests showing chemicals at concentrations above health guidelines established by federal and state health agencies. These guidelines are typically set at a levels that pose no significant health risk.	8 chemicals	4
Health Standard ExceedencesChemicals detected at concentrations above the legal limit, the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCLs) established by the U.S. EPA. Most MCLs are based on annual averages, so exceeding the MCL for one test does not necessarily indicate that the system is out of compliance.	6 chemicals	0.5
Pollutants FoundThe total number of contaminants detected since 2004, according to data provided by the state water agency.	17 chemicals	8
Tests ConductedThe total number of number of water quality tests conducted by water utilities and recorded in data provided by the state water agency.	265 tests	420

Contaminants Exceeding Health Guidelines

Contaminant	Average/ Maximum Result	Health Limit Exceeded	Legal Limit Exceeded	Testing History -Tested      -Detected      -Over Health Guidelines      -Over Legal Limit*
Alpha particle activityAlpha particles are a form of radiation released from mining waste pollutants and natural sources.	24.62 pCi/L 42.7 pCi/L	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 pCi/L	Yes 15 pCi/L
Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium)Alpha particles are a form of radiation associated with radioactive mining waste pollutants and natural sources.	25.27 pCi/L 40.9 pCi/L	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 pCi/L	Yes 15 pCi/L
Radium-226Radium-226 is a radioactive element usually found around uranium deposits.	11.2 pCi/L 14.9 pCi/L	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 pCi/L	Yes 5 pCi/L
Combined Radium (-226 & -228)Radium is a radioactive element usually found around uranium deposits.	8.7 pCi/L 14.57 pCi/L	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 pCi/L	Yes 5 pCi/L
Radium-228Radium-228 is a radioactive element usually found around uranium deposits.	2.37 pCi/L 5.9 pCi/L	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 pCi/L	Yes 5 pCi/L
Gross beta particle activity (pCi/L)Beta particles are a form of radiation frequently associated with nuclear testing and radioactive mineral deposits.	29.2 pCi/L 29.2 pCi/L	Yes	Yes 15 pCi/L
Total haloacetic acids (HAAs)Total haloacetic acids refers to the sum of the concentrations of five related disinfection byproducts in a water sample: dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monochloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid.	0.7 ppb 1.4 ppb	Yes 0.7 ppb	No 60 ppb
Lead (total)Lead is a metal that enters water by corrosion of household plumbing systems, discharge of industrial pollution and erosion of natural deposits.	9.6 ppb 9.6 ppb	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 ppb	No
NOTE: Each dot in the above graph represents one month. * Water utilities are noted as exceeding the legal limit if any test is above the maximum contaminant level (MCL). Most MCLs are based on annual averages so exceeding the MCL for one test does not necessarily indicate that the system is out of compliance.

Other Detected Contaminants

Contaminant	Average/ Maximum Result	Health Limit Exceeded	Legal Limit Exceeded	Testing History -Tested      -Detected      -Over Health Guidelines      -Over Legal Limit*
Combined Uranium (pCi/L)Uranium is a radioactive element commonly found in most rocks; processed ore is used for power generation and weapons manufacture.	0.45 pCi/L 1.8 pCi/L	No	No 15 pCi/L
NitrateNitrate enters drinking water sources from fertilizer runoff, leaching septic tanks, and erosion of natural deposits; it is also emitted by chemical, petrochemical and metal-finishing industries.	0.14 ppm 0.41 ppm	No 10 ppm	No 10 ppm
Barium (total)Barium is a mineral that enters drinking water through drilling and mining waste runoff, discharges from chemical industries and erosion of natural deposits.	8.25 ppb 8.9 ppb	No 700 ppb	No 2000 ppb
ManganeseManganese is a naturally occurring element released from mineral deposits as well as industrial use.	6 ppb 18 ppb	No 50 ppb	No 50 ppb
Chromium (total)Chromium is a metal that pollutes drinking water due to discharge from steel and pulp mills and erosion of natural deposits.	0.07 ppb 0.14 ppb	No 100 ppb	No 100 ppb
Beryllium (total)Beryllium is a metal associated with metal refineries and combustion of fossil fuels, especially coal burning; it is released into the environment from electrical, aerospace and defense industries.	0.02 ppb 0.04 ppb	No 1 ppb	No 4 ppb
Monobromoacetic acidMonobromoacetic acid is a disinfection byproduct regulated by EPA as one of five haloacetic acids that are formed when chlorine, chloramines or other disinfectants react with organic and inorganic matter in water.	0.46 ppb 0.92 ppb	No	No 60 ppb
Dibromoacetic acidDibromoacetic acid is a disinfection byproduct regulated by EPA as one of five haloacetic acids that are formed when chlorine, chloramines or other disinfectants react with organic and inorganic matter in water.	0.24 ppb 0.48 ppb	No	No 60 ppb
CopperCopper is a naturally occuring metal and drinking water contaminant that enters tap water by corrosion of household plumbing systems and erosion of natural deposits.	44.8 ppb 44.8 ppb	No 300 ppb	No 1000 ppb
NOTE: Each dot in the above graph represents one month. * Water utilities are noted as exceeding the legal limit if any test is above the maximum contaminant level (MCL). Most MCLs are based on annual averages so exceeding the MCL for one test does not necessarily indicate that the system is out of compliance.

Contaminants Not Detected - 73 chemicals

1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), 2,4-d, Alachlor (Lasso), Aldicarb, Aldicarb sulfone, Aldicarb sulfoxide, Aldrin, Antimony (total), Arsenic (total), Atrazine, Benzene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Bromodichloromethane, Bromoform, Cadmium (total), Carbofuran, Carbon tetrachloride, Chlordane, Chloroform, cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, Cyanide, Dalapon, Di(2-Ethylhexyl) adipate, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Dibromochloromethane, Dichloroacetic acid, Dichloromethane (methylene chloride), Dieldrin, Dinoseb, Diquat, Endothall, Endrin, Ethylbenzene, Ethylene dibromide (EDB), Glyphosate, Heptachlor, Heptachlor epoxide, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Lindane, Mercury (total inorganic), Methoxychlor, Monochloroacetic acid, Monochlorobenzene (Chlorobenzene), Mtbe, Nitrite, o-Dichlorobenzene, Oxamyl (Vydate), p-Dichlorobenzene, Pentachlorophenol, Picloram, Selenium (total), Simazine, Styrene, Tetrachloroethylene, Thallium (total), Toluene, Total Ddt, Total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Toxaphene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, Trichloroacetic acid, Trichloroethylene, Vinyl chloride, Xylenes (total)

Pollution Summary

17	Total Contaminants Detected (2004 - 2009) Barium (total), Chromium (total), Copper, Lead (total), Manganese, Nitrate, Beryllium (total), Monobromoacetic acid, Dibromoacetic acid, Total haloacetic acids (HAAs), Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium), Combined Radium (-226 & -228), Radium-226, Radium-228, Alpha particle activity, Combined Uranium (pCi/L), Gross beta particle activity (pCi/L)
1	Agricultural Pollutants (pesticides, fertilizer, factory farms) Nitrate
3	Sprawl and Urban Pollutants (road runoff, lawn pesticides, human waste) Copper, Lead (total), Nitrate
13	Industrial Pollutants Barium (total), Chromium (total), Lead (total), Manganese, Nitrate, Beryllium (total), Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium), Combined Radium (-226 & -228), Radium-226, Radium-228, Alpha particle activity, Combined Uranium (pCi/L), Gross beta particle activity (pCi/L)
3	Water Treatment and Distribution Byproducts (pipes and fixtures, treatment chemicals and byproducts) Total haloacetic acids (HAAs), Dibromoacetic acid, Monobromoacetic acid
13	Naturally Occurring (naturally present but increased for lands denuded by sprawl, agriculture, or industrial development) Barium (total), Chromium (total), Copper, Lead (total), Manganese, Nitrate, Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium), Combined Radium (-226 & -228), Radium-226, Radium-228, Alpha particle activity, Combined Uranium (pCi/L), Gross beta particle activity (pCi/L)
1	Unregulated Contaminants EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for these contaminants Lead (total)

EPA Violation Summary

Violation Category	Number of Violations
MCL and Treatment (click see violations)close	41
Violation Date of Violation Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2004/01/01 - 2004/03/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity 2004/01/01 - 2004/03/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2004/04/01 - 2004/06/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity 2004/04/01 - 2004/06/30 Other Non-National Primary Drinking Water Regulations Potential Health Risks 2004/07/10 - 2004/11/10 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2004/07/01 - 2004/09/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity 2004/07/01 - 2004/09/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2004/10/01 - 2004/12/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity 2004/10/01 - 2004/12/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2005/01/01 - 2005/03/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium) 2005/01/01 - 2005/03/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2005/04/01 - 2005/06/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium) 2005/04/01 - 2005/06/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2005/07/01 - 2005/09/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium) 2005/07/01 - 2005/09/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2005/10/01 - 2005/12/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium) 2005/10/01 - 2005/12/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2006/01/01 - 2006/03/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium) 2006/01/01 - 2006/03/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2006/04/01 - 2006/06/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium) 2006/04/01 - 2006/06/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium) 2006/07/01 - 2006/09/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2006/07/01 - 2006/09/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2006/10/01 - 2006/12/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium) 2006/10/01 - 2006/12/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2007/01/01 - 2007/03/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium) 2007/01/01 - 2007/03/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2007/04/01 - 2007/06/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium) 2007/04/01 - 2007/06/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2007/07/01 - 2007/09/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium) 2007/07/01 - 2007/09/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium) 2007/10/01 - 2007/12/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2007/10/01 - 2007/12/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium) 2008/01/01 - 2008/03/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2008/01/01 - 2008/03/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium) 2008/04/01 - 2008/06/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2008/04/01 - 2008/06/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium) 2008/07/01 - 2008/09/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2008/07/01 - 2008/09/30 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium) 2008/10/01 - 2008/12/31 Over maximum contaminant level, Average Combined Radium (-226 & -228) 2008/10/01 - 2008/12/31
Reporting (click see violations)close	2
Violation Date of Violation Inadequate reporting of information to the public 2006/08/24 - 2007/09/05 Inadequate reporting of information to the public 2007/08/08 - 2007/09/05
Monitoring (click see violations)close	1
Violation Date of Violation Monitoring and Reporting Disinfection Byproduct Rule Chlorine 2008/07/01 - 2008/09/30

Information on violations is drawn directly from EPA's national violations database in the Agency's Safe Drinking Water Information System. Analyses by others have raised questions about the quality of the information in EPA's database. For the purposes of this investigation, EWG is not showing below or including in our analyses, those violations for individual water suppliers that occurred on days for which the total number of violations assigned by EPA to that water supplier was greater than 20. This criteria was based on common characteristics of incorrect violations data as identified by water utilities, from a review of EPA's violations data by several hundred utilities prior to the release of EWG's investigation.