The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency issued findings Monday reporting elevated levels of PFOS in Galesburg's water system. PFOS is one compound in a family of chemicals known as PFAS, and a related compound, PFOA, is measured separately.

In response to questions from local outlets, the city said the state's samples were taken from raw, unfinished water at the wells, not the treated water delivered to homes.

What the state found

The IEPA notified the owners and operators of seven community water systems that PFOS was detected in water samples collected by the Galesburg system as part of a monitoring period that began in April 2026. Two wells tested at 15 parts per trillion and a third at 4.7 ppt, all above the Illinois Class I groundwater quality standard of 4 ppt.

Along with Galesburg, the notice covers the Abingdon, East Galesburg, Henderson, Knoxville, Windwood Water and Little York community water systems, all of which purchase water from Galesburg. All are in Knox County except Little York, which is in Warren County.

Is the tap water safe?

The city said Galesburg's finished water does not exceed the 4 ppt standard for PFOS. The elevated readings came from raw source water at the wells before treatment.

There has not been a decline in Galesburg's finished water quality since notices went out in 2025, according to the city. Galesburg's finished drinking water currently exceeds only one PFAS level, and it isn't the compound the state flagged Monday: PFOA sits at 5.9 ppt, unchanged from what was reported in the 2025 mailing.

Are the over-limit wells in use?

No. The city said Galesburg exceeds the PFOS level in raw, unfinished water from three of its six active wells, with a maximum detection of 15 ppt, and that none of those three wells are currently utilized.

The city plans to retire the two wells that tested at 15 ppt in 2027. The third well, which tested at 4.7 ppt, would be used only on an emergency basis.

What the city is doing

Galesburg is in the design phase for two new wells that have tested PFAS free. The city said those wells are anticipated to be constructed in 2027 and put into production by late 2027 or early 2028, which would bring the city's finished drinking water below the 4 ppt standard for regulated PFAS compounds.

According to the city, Illinois adopted updated drinking water regulations in January 2026 establishing a maximum contaminant level of 4 ppt for six PFAS compounds. Public water systems began official monitoring in April 2026 and have until April 2029 to reach full compliance. The city said Galesburg expects to hit that mark well in advance of the deadline.

What are PFAS, and why do they matter?

PFAS have been used in consumer products, industrial processes and some firefighting foams since the 1940s, according to the IEPA. They don't easily break down under natural conditions, which is why they're often called "forever chemicals." The agency says they are stable, persistent chemicals that build up in blood and organs over time, and that people are primarily exposed through food and water.

The 2009 Right-to-Know law requires community water system operators to notify customers when groundwater contamination poses a threat of exposure above Class I groundwater quality standards. That law is what triggered this notice. All Galesburg water customers will receive the IEPA notice by mail, and the city says letters go out Sept. 8.

How to reduce exposure

The IEPA recommends several ways to reduce PFAS exposure:

  • Choose stainless steel, cast iron or non-stick cookware that does not contain PFAS.
  • Avoid water repellents on clothing.
  • Use personal care products without "PTFE" or "Fluoro" ingredients.
  • Use water filters designed to remove PFAS, meeting NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 standards.

The Illinois Department of Public Health also encourages private well owners near the impacted water system to test their well water for PFAS or consider installing treatment such as activated carbon filters on drinking water faucets. Private well owners with health-related questions can contact IDPH at (217) 782-5830 or dph.tox@Illinois.gov.