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EPA SDWIS City OverviewWater Testing & Safety Guide

Chicago, IL Water Quality Testing & Safety Report

EPA compliance records, water testing guidelines, and hardness metrics for all 86 ZIP codes in Chicago, Illinois

Quick EPA Verified Summary

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Chicago, IL?

Tap water in Chicago, IL receives an EPA Safety Grade of C (68/100) due to 86 health-based violation(s) and elevated lead risk. While treated by local utilities, residents are advised to test tap water and use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified filter for drinking and cooking.

Average Score

68/100

Health Violations

86

Water Hardness

Moderately Hard

105 mg/L (6.1 GPG)

High Lead Risk

51

of 86 ZIP codes

C

About Tap Water in Chicago, IL

Drinking water in Chicago, IL receives an average water quality grade of C (score: 68/100) across its 86 ZIP codes. Safe Drinking Water Act compliance monitoring is managed by local utilities including Chicago.

⚠ Lead Risk Alert: Some ZIP codes in Chicago are rated High or Very High for lead exposure risk based on EPA data. Search your specific ZIP code for a detailed lead level report.

Water Quality Testing in Chicago, IL

Tap Water & Well Water Testing Recommendations

Testing your drinking water in Chicago confirms whether contaminants like lead, nitrates, bacteria, and PFAS are entering your home. While municipal utilities test water before distribution, private plumbing and private well systems require homeowner testing.

Tap Water Testing Checklist

  • 1.Identify your plumbing age: Homes built before 1986 in Chicago may have lead solder or lead service lines.
  • 2.Request your utility's latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for annual municipal baseline data.
  • 3.Use an EPA-certified laboratory or state-certified test kit for precision lead and PFAS detection (standard DIY strips cannot reliably measure trace heavy metals).
  • 4.Collect a "first draw" sample: Test water that has sat motionless in pipes for at least 6 hours to check for plumbing corrosion.

Private Well Water Testing Checklist

  • •Private wells in IL are not monitored by the EPA or Illinois Environmental Protection Agency — testing is 100% the homeowner's responsibility.
  • •Annual Test: Screen for Total Coliform Bacteria, E. coli, Nitrates/Nitrites, and pH every spring.
  • •Comprehensive Test (Every 3-5 Years): Test for heavy metals (Lead, Arsenic, Uranium), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Hardness.
  • •Post-Disruption Testing: Immediately test well water following heavy floods, local construction, agricultural runoff, or sudden taste/odor changes.

Critical Water Testing Parameters for Chicago Residents

ParameterHealth ReasonEPA Limit / Standard
Lead (Pb)Plumbing corrosion; dangerous neurotoxin for children15 ppb (Action Level) / 0 ppb Goal
Total Coliform & E. ColiBacterial contamination from sewage or surface runoff0 mg/L (Zero Tolerance)
Nitrates / NitritesFertilizer and septic tank seepage; causes blue baby syndrome10 mg/L (MCL)
Water Hardness (Ca & Mg)Affects appliance lifespan, scale buildup, and skin hydrationModerate (~100 mg/L)
PFAS ("Forever Chemicals")Industrial non-stick chemicals linked to metabolic and immune issues4.0 ppt (EPA 2024 Rule)
State Regulatory Oversight: Environmental standards and certified water lab registries in IL are maintained by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Health-Based Contaminant Violations in Chicago

EPA records indicate that the following contaminants have exceeded Safe Drinking Water Act Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) in Chicago water systems over the past 5 years.

Gross Beta

Note: The presence of a past violation does not necessarily mean current water is unsafe. Utilities are required to take corrective action. Review your Consumer Confidence Report for the latest status.

Water Quality by ZIP Code — Chicago, IL

Showing 86 of 86 monitored ZIP codes in Chicago

B
60601

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60602

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60603

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60604

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60606

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60607

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60608

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60611

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60612

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60613

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60615

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60616

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60621

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60622

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60623

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60632

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60638

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60640

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60642

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60645

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60649

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60653

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60654

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation
B
60655

Chicago, IL

Score: 71/1001 violation

All Chicago, IL ZIP Code Reports (86 Total)

6060160602606036060460606606076060860611606126061360615606166062160622606236063260638606406064260645606496065360654606556065660670606806070160290606056066160664606666066860669606736067460675606776067860679606816068260684606856068660687606886068960690606916069360694606956069660697606996060960610606146061760618606206062460626606296063060631606336063460636606396064160643606446064660647606516065260657606596066060619606256062860637

Nearby Cities Water Quality & Testing in Illinois

Compare tap water safety, EPA test scores, and water hardness across neighboring cities in Illinois:

Addison, IL1 ZIP code
Grade C
Abingdon, IL1 ZIP code
Grade C
Addieville, IL1 ZIP code
Grade D
Adair, IL1 ZIP code
Grade C
Albany, IL1 ZIP code
Grade C
Albers, IL1 ZIP code
Grade C
Albion, IL1 ZIP code
Grade B
Alden, IL1 ZIP code
Grade D

Frequently Asked Questions — Chicago Water Quality & Testing

Is tap water safe to drink in Chicago, IL?+
Tap water in Chicago has a grade of C, indicating compliance concerns in recent years. Families with young children or pregnant women should consider using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I test water quality in Chicago, IL?+
To test water quality in Chicago, you can order an EPA-compliant drinking water test kit or submit samples to a state-certified environmental testing laboratory in IL. Testing is especially recommended for homes built before 1986 (to check for lead in plumbing) and for properties with private well systems.
Should I test private well water in Chicago?+
Yes. Unlike municipal tap water, private wells in Chicago, IL are not monitored or regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners are responsible for testing their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
How hard is the tap water in Chicago?+
Tap water in Chicago is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated average hardness of 105 mg/L (6.1 GPG). A water softener is generally optional.
What is the water quality score for Chicago?+
The average water quality score across 86 ZIP codes in Chicago, IL is 68/100. Scores are derived from EPA violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Individual ZIP codes may vary — search your specific ZIP above for a personalized report.
Does Chicago have lead in its tap water?+
51 out of 86 ZIP codes in Chicago are rated High or Very High for lead exposure risk. Older homes built before 1986 may have lead service lines or plumbing fixtures. Residents should run their tap for 30 seconds before use and consider a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead filter.
Where does Chicago's tap water come from?+
Tap water in Chicago, IL primarily comes from surface water. Surface water systems treat water from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs using filtration, sedimentation, and disinfection before it reaches your tap.

Looking for water quality reports in other cities in Illinois?

View All Cities & ZIPs in Illinois