Also detected, no federal limit: PFBA, PFBS, PFHxA, PFPeA.
Is there PFAS in North Park Pwd water?
Yes. EPA's final UCMR 5 results show North Park Pwd averaged 16.1 ppt of PFHxS at its worst sampling point, 1.6 times the EPA limit of 10 ppt.
North Park Pwd is a public water system drawing on groundwater, based in Machesney Park, Illinois, serving about 35,580 people, including Caledonia, Roscoe, Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 6 times across 3 sampling points between Feb 2025 and Aug 2025.
Every PFAS detected
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFHxS Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid |
4 of 6 | 18.2 ppt | 16.1 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFOS Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid |
4 of 6 | 7.3 ppt | 5.7 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFBA Perfluorobutanoic acid |
2 of 6 | 7.0 ppt | 6.2 ppt | none |
| PFOA Perfluorooctanoic acid |
3 of 6 | 6.2 ppt | 5.8 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFBS Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid |
5 of 6 | 5.4 ppt | 5.0 ppt | none |
| PFHxA Perfluorohexanoic acid |
2 of 6 | 4.7 ppt | 4.2 ppt | none |
| PFPeA Perfluoropentanoic acid |
2 of 6 | 4.2 ppt | 3.7 ppt | none |
Not detected: PFPeS, ADONA, PFDoA, PFUnA, NEtFOSAA, PFTrDA, PFTA, PFNA, PFHpA, PFMBA, 8:2 FTS, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, PFDA, HFPO-DA, 4:2 FTS, PFHpS, PFMPA, PFEESA, NMeFOSAA, NFDHA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, 6:2 FTS.
Lithium, tested in the same program: highest 9.3 ppb, detected in 1 of 6 samples. EPA's health-based screening level is 10 ppb.
What the EPA limits mean here
In April 2024 EPA set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures. Utilities were given until 2029 to comply. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping only the PFOA and PFOS limits and moving that deadline to 2031. Until that proposal is final, the 2024 limits stand.
Compliance is judged on a running annual average at each entry point, so we show the average at this system's worst sampling point next to its single highest result. UCMR 5 results do not by themselves put a utility in or out of compliance.
What you can do at home
Two routes work for PFAS. For drinking and cooking water only, a reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI 58 with a PFOA/PFOS reduction claim is the cheapest proven option. To treat every tap and shower, a whole-house carbon system with enough contact time works, but check that the maker has PFAS test data, not just a marketing claim. See the best filters for PFAS and how PFAS removal works.
Other systems in Illinois
- Northbrook none detected
- Calumet City 2 PFAS detected
- Hanover Park none detected
- Il American-granite City 3 PFAS detected
- Woodridge none detected
- Vernon Hills - Lake CO Pw none detected
All 487 tested systems in Illinois
ZIP codes served
61011 61073 61103 61111 61115
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Cite this page
Well & Tap. "PFAS in North Park Pwd water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID IL2015500. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/illinois/north-park-pwd/
About this data
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID IL2015500). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.