Date: January 14, 2026

Drinking Water Notice – Peoria

Dear Customer,

Illinois American Water is proud to be your water service provider. The safety of our customers and the communities we serve is our number one priority.

We would like to inform you that during routine water testing in Peoria, certain test sites showed some samples with elevated levels of lead. Please understand that these test results are specific to each of the individual sites tested and are not indicative of community-wide conditions. We notified and are working with the customer sites where samples showed elevated levels.

Your water goes through rigorous testing and our state-of-the-art treatment processes, and the water leaving our treatment plant does not contain lead, thanks to our team of experts who live and work in the communities we serve. Additionally, our water quality results have consistently scored among the highest of all water companies throughout the state and nationally.

In compliance with state and federal lead and copper monitoring requirements, Illinois American Water collected 111 water samples between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, in the Peoria Water System. Samples were collected in homes and buildings, prioritizing those with existing lead service lines, per regulation requirements. Results of these tests indicated more than 10 percent of the samples collected exceeded the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb). For context, one part per billion is roughly the equivalent of one drop of liquid in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. These test results are specific to the sites (homes, buildings) tested.

As required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Illinois American Water has issued a drinking water notice via media broadcast to our customers in the Peoria water system. The notice includes detailed information on lead that is available on the company’s website: www.illinoisamwater.com/alerts.

Recently, testing requirements for lead have been updated and become more stringent at the federal and state levels. Illinois American Water continuously monitors all lead and copper regulations. The company has had a long history of compliance with lead regulations since its implementation in 1991. Before the change in regulations, the company had not had an exceedance in Peoria since lead and copper started being regulated, more than 34 years ago.

In response to these results, Illinois American Water is taking multiple steps, including water sampling and monitoring, corrosion control treatment, and a robust lead service line replacement program in our service areas across the state.

Water Sampling and Monitoring: We are conducting additional lead and/or water quality monitoring to determine any site-specific concerns. Customers interested in sampling should make a request by sending an email to leadfreeil@amwater.com.

Corrosion Control: While samples have confirmed there is no lead in the source water or the water leaving Illinois American Water facilities, corrosion control treatment is added to the water leaving our facility. Corrosion control is designed to reduce the potential for lead and copper to leach from service lines and household plumbing into drinking water by creating a protective barrier inside the pipe. Due to the number of lead service lines in Peoria as well as the natural corrosivity of water, Illinois American Water has historically added corrosion control treatment to the water leaving our facilities, and historic lead and copper sampling have indicated that the corrosion control treatment was effective. Following an initial lead exceedance in Peoria in July 2025, Illinois American Water began removing lead service lines from homes in the water system to help evaluate and improve our current corrosion control treatment. While full comprehensive evaluations of corrosion control can take upwards of 24 months, Illinois American Water coordinated with and received approval from the Illinois EPA to implement a temporary corrosion control treatment change ahead of full study completion based on current and historic data modeling and evaluation.

Lead Service Line Replacement Program: Illinois American Water’s water mains are not made of lead; however, the water service line that carries water from the water main in the street to your home could be. We are asking customers to help support our efforts to replace lead or qualifying galvanized steel service lines by locating and identifying their water service line and submitting a brief survey. If the service line is confirmed to be lead or qualifying galvanized steel, Illinois American Water will work with customers to have the service lines replaced for free. Since 2020, Illinois American Water has replaced 2,800 lead service lines in the Peoria Water System. For more information on service line identification, replacement, and an inventory map, visit: www.illinoisamwater.com/leadfacts.


Following this letter, you will find the required public health notice that includes details about lead. Additional information about lead and copies of our Water Quality Reports can be found on the Water Quality section of our website at illinoisamwater.com.

We are committed to complying with strict federal regulations and providing safe, clean, and reliable drinking water. If you have any questions or concerns related to your drinking water quality or are interested in receiving a lead sampling kit, please contact our Water Quality Team at leadfreeIL@amwater.com.

Thank you,
Illinois American Water

 

Drinking Water Notice – Peoria

SAMPLING SHOWS ELEVATED LEAD LEVELS FOUND IN SOME HOMES AND/OR BUILDINGS

THIS NOTICE APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING WATER SYSTEM: Illinois American Water - Peoria Water System
PWSID IL1435030
Date Distributed January 14, 2026
Compliance Monitoring Period July 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025

Important information about lead in your drinking water.
We found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes/buildings. Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant people and young children. Please read this information closely to see what you can do to reduce lead in your drinking water.

HEALTH EFFECTS OF LEAD: According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.

WHAT HAPPENED?
WHAT HAPPENED? As part of our lead and copper monitoring requirements, we collected and analyzed samples from the below number homes and buildings within the water system, prioritizing locations with lead service lines. The number of samples collected is based on the system’s population. The results indicated that more than 10 percent of these samples exceeded the action level for lead.

Dates water samples were collected July 2025 through December 2025
Number of locations sampled 111

We are focused on protecting the health of every household in our community; however, lead from service lines and lead plumbing and fixtures can dissolve or break off into water and end up at the faucet. This does not mean that every property that receives drinking water within this system has lead in the drinking water. It does mean that you should understand how to reduce your exposure to lead through water.

WHAT IS AN ACTION LEVEL?
The lead action level is a measure of the effectiveness of the corrosion control treatment in water systems. The action level is not a standard for establishing a safe level of lead in a home. To check if corrosion control is working, EPA requires water systems to test for lead at the tap in certain homes, focusing on those with lead service lines. Systems compare sample results from homes to EPA’s action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb). If 10 percent of the samples from these homes have lead concentrations that are greater than the action level, the system must notify all customers in the water system and complete public education, treatment evaluations and lead service line replacements.

SOURCES OF LEAD
Lead is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth’s crust. While sampling indicates that lead is not an issue in the treated water leaving our facilities or in the source water, lead may enter the water supply from lead service lines, internal plumbing and faucets. Lead levels might be detected at some properties due to corrosion of:

  • Lead service lines1 and connectors serving older homes and buildings
  • Lead solder in household plumbing installed before state adoption of the EPA lead ban in April 1986
  • Some faucets manufactured prior to 2014. When replacing or installing plumbing fixtures, look for the “Lead Free”² label.

Lead might also be detected if sediment or debris, possibly containing lead, is released from a lead service line during repair or replacement projects. Lead levels may vary and therefore lead exposure is possible even when lead is not detected in all sampling events. Keep in mind that drinking water is not the only potential source of lead exposure, since lead can be found in air, soil, and paint. For more information on all sources of lead, visit https://www.epa.gov/lead.

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO REDUCE YOUR POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO LEAD IN YOUR WATER

  • Proper use of a filter, certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead is effective in reducing lead exposures. Look for NSF 53 certified filters.
  • Flush your taps. Lead levels increase over time as water sits in lead-containing plumbing materials and regular water usage in the building can reduce lead levels in drinking water. If the water in your faucet has gone unused for more than 6 hours, flush the tap with cold water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking or using it to cook. If your service line is lead,1 you may need to flush the water for 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Use cold water for drinking, cooking and making baby formula. Hot water has the potential to contain more lead than cold water. If hot water is needed for cooking or baby formula, heat cold water on the stove or in the microwave. Please note: boiling water will not remove or reduce lead.
  • Routinely remove and clean all faucet aerators.
  • Check to see if your interior plumbing or faucets contain lead and replace any that do. Look for the “Lead Free” label when replacing or installing plumbing fixtures.
  • Follow manufacturer’s instructions for replacing water filters n household appliances, such as refrigerators and ice makers, as well as home water treatment units and pitchers. Look for NSF 53 certified filters.
  • Flush after plumbing changes. Changes to your service line, meter, or interior plumbing may result in sediment, possibly containing lead, in your water supply. Remove the aerator from each faucet and run the water for 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Use alternative source of water, such as bottled water, if part of an at-risk population, such as pregnant persons, infants and young children.

TESTING FOR LEAD LEVELS IN CHILDREN

Parents who are concerned about their child’s/children’s exposure to lead should contact their family doctor or pediatrician to discuss if a blood test for lead is recommended and obtain additional information about the health effects of lead. State and local health departments can also provide information about how you can have your child’s blood tested for lead.

  • State Health Department Illinois Department of Public Health, 525-535 W. Jefferson St. Springfield, IL 62761. Phone: 217-782-4977
  • Local Health Department Peoria Health Department, 2116 N. Sheridan Rd. Suite A, Peoria, IL 61604. Phone: 309-679-6000

STEPS WE ARE TAKING TO ADDRESS LEAD LEVELS
We are following federal and state lead and copper regulations, which include:

  • Corrosion Control: We have begun removing lead service lines from homes in the water system to help evaluate and improve our current corrosion control treatment. Corrosion control measures are designed to reduce the potential of lead leaching from service lines and household plumbing into your drinking water by creating a protective barrier between the water and the pipe. To do this, we carefully manage the water’s pH and add a corrosion inhibitor to the water leaving our treatment facility. Since the initial July 2025 exceedance, we have also coordinated with Illinois EPA to implement a temporary inhibitor change and additional monitoring to potentially expedite the reduction of lead levels in the community.
  • Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement: In accordance with federal and state EPA regulations, we submitted a comprehensive service line inventory and will be replacing lead1 service lines at a rate of 3% per year. For more information on service line identification, opportunities for replacement as well as our inventory map, visit our Le ad Service Line Replacement Program website listed below. If your customer-owned service line material is unknown or incorrectly identified, please self-identify and report your material online. Regardless of your home’s plumbing material, you should take precaution and follow the information in this notice. If the customer-owned service line is lead and you replace it, please contact us so that we can replace the company-owned service line as well if necessary. Visit illinoisamwater.com/leadfacts.
  • Water Sampling and Monitoring: Since August 2025, we have sent over 600 sample kits to customers who have requested and provided results to those who have returned a water sample(s). We will continue to conduct additional lead and/or water quality monitoring to determine any site-specific concerns. If we sample at your property, you will receive the results, which are specific to your home/ building and may be different from the results taken in other locations. We will also follow up with additional public education to all customers in the service area within 60 days of the end of the compliance monitoring period, as required.
  • Other Actions: Customers can contact Illinois American Water at leadfreeIL@amwater.com to have their water tested and to learn more about the lead levels in their drinking water.

LEARN MORE

  • For more information, please contact: Illinois American Water’s water quality team at leadfreeIL@amwater.com or visit illinoisamwater.com/leadfacts.
  • For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/lead or contact your health care provider.

To view the complete Drinking Water Notice, please click the image below.

Peoria Drinking Water Notice