Community Relations - Fact Sheets

Safe Water Well Initiative 2009

Common Contaminants Affecting Drinking Water Sources in Many Areas of the State of Illinois
August 2009

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Background

In recent years, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been found in groundwater in many areas of the state where there is a history of commercial and industrial development. The chemicals discovered in groundwater are breakdown products from two families of chemicals: solvents and fuels such as gasoline Types of facilities that used these chemicals included dry cleaners, auto and boat engine repair shops, printing shops, gas stations and the metal parts fabrication industry.

Common management practices before environmental regulation of the storage, use and disposal of solvents included dumping them onto the ground after use. Both gasoline products and solvents were also accidentally spilled or leaked from storage containers. We are now seeing the results of chemical contamination from management practices over previous decades. Over time, the chemicals made their way into groundwater. Current regulations, in place since the early-to-mid 1980s, do not allow this sort of chemical dumping.

Groundwater is the source of drinking water for private wells and for some public water supplies. In 2005, the Illinois EPA began a private well owner awareness campaign to educate private well owners about the issue of VOCs in groundwater and well safety.

There is an increasing trend of public water supplies that use well water showing VOC impacts. Public water supplies are required to test for these chemicals, however, and treat the water if necessary. Illinois EPA supported legislation that requires notification of private well users and public water supply users about groundwater contamination.

Chemical Information

VOCs include some 21 chemicals for which public water supplies must test. Please see the list of chemicals. In addition, your local county health department or Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regional office can recommend other tests for your well water, depending on where you live. 

Recommendations

If you have a private well, the Illinois EPA and IDPH recommend that you test your well for VOCs if you live in an urban or suburban area with business, industry or gas stations nearby. Wells in rural areas that may be affected by leaking fuel tanks should also test for VOCs.

For more information, contact: