Ottawa
Is Ottawa tap water safe to drink?
Use extra caution — Ottawa scores 40/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 1 local system in Ottawa. We found 371 total violations (26 unresolved).
Real-Time Environment
Live: 09:45 PM☀️ No active precipitation. Rainfall can impact surface water turbidity and pollutant runoff in Ottawa.
Water Quality Impact
🛡️ Home Water Treatment Needs
Should you invest in filtration or softening for your home in Ottawa?
Expert Advice
Given the safety margin, a Carbon Block or sediment filter is recommended to improve taste and remove trace particulates.
Buying a Filter?
Filter or no filter for Ottawa water? Here's what the data says.
Baby Formula Safety
What new parents in Ottawa should know about tap water safety.
Homebuyer's Perspective
Water quality is easy to overlook when evaluating a move to Ottawa, but it can affect plumbing longevity and appliance lifespan. With a score of 40/100, we recommend budgeting for high-quality point-of-entry filtration systems to protect your home's value.
Health & Family Safety
Residents should monitor Lead (90th percentile) levels. Pregnant women and families with young children should consult the specific EPA health goals listed below.
View Health Risk Glossary →Compliance Record for Ottawa
Based on EPA SDWIS violation records and contaminant test results for all water systems serving Ottawa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ottawa tap water safe to drink?
Use extra caution — Ottawa scores 40/100.
How many water systems serve Ottawa?
Ottawa is served by 1 public water system in our latest EPA-backed dataset.
How can I check water quality for my exact address in Ottawa?
Use the WaterQ search tool to look up your ZIP code and view nearby systems, contaminant levels, and recent violations for Ottawa.
What is the water quality score for Ottawa?
The water quality score for Ottawa is 40 out of 100, based on EPA contaminant data, violation history, and testing results across the 1 system serving the city.
What are the top contaminants in Ottawa?
The top contaminants detected in Ottawa include Lead (90th percentile). View detailed information on our contaminants page.
Ottawa Water Quality Summary
Ottawa, IL receives a water quality score of 40/100 (Grade F) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 1 public water system serving the area.
Ottawa's water quality score is below the national average, indicating a history of EPA violations or elevated contaminant levels. Residents are encouraged to check their specific water system report and consider additional filtration.
Ottawa's score of 40 is 26 points below the Illinois state average of 66, and below the nationwide average of roughly 78/100 across all U.S. states.
Water quality data is sourced from the U.S. EPA SDWIS database and updated quarterly. Learn about our scoring methodology → Read our Illinois water quality rankings report →
Key Contaminants
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Water Systems Serving Ottawa (1)
Check Your Specific Address
Water quality can vary by neighborhood in Ottawa.
Related
Quick compare in Illinois
Compare Ottawa water quality: View all states · Contaminant library · How we score water quality