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WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 60651 Water Quality & Testing Report

Chicago, IL · Cook County County · Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 60651 (Chicago, IL)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 60651 (Chicago, IL) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of C (66/100) due to 1 health violation(s) and 9.3 ppb lead. While treated by Chicago, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

1

Total Violations

19

Lead Risk

Very High

Contaminants

1

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 60651

Tap water in ZIP code 60651 (Chicago, IL) is distributed by Chicago (EPA ID: IL0316000), serving approximately 2,746,388 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of C with a composite quality score of 66/100.

Water System

Chicago

EPA ID: IL0316000

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

2,746,388 residents

County

Cook County County, Illinois

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Lead Levels in ZIP 60651

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 9.3 ppb — Moderate

The 90th percentile lead level in 60651 is 9.3 ppb. This is below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, but above ideal health goals. Consider a certified lead-reducing filter.

Lead exposure risk in 60651 is rated Very High. EPA models estimate a 79% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
9.30 ppb (0.0093 mg/L)
Lead (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

7.1 ppb
Copper (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

0.1 ppb
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Very High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

79%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Very Hard11.1 GPG · 189 mg/L

Water in ZIP 60651 is Very Hard (189 mg/L / 11.1 GPG). High concentrations of dissolved limestone minerals cause severe mineral buildup, stiff laundry, dry skin, and premature water heater wear.

Recommendation: A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

11.1 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

189 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Chicago · PWSID: IL0316000

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Chicago has recorded 1 health-based violation out of 19 total violations over the past 5 years. 5 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
19
Health-Based Violations
1
Unresolved Violations
5
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Critical based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 1 contaminant with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Gross Beta.

Gross Beta

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 10 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
CCR Source Classification
Lake Michigan
EPA Radon Zone

Moderate potential

Zone 2
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$0
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

3.38%

EPA Radon Zone 2 — moderate radon potential. The EPA recommends testing your home regardless of zone designation.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 60651

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 60651 served by Chicago can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in IL for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 60651 Recommendations

  • ⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • ⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
  • ⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • ⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Specifically certified to reduce lead and copper at the tap.

Lead Filter Guide →
⚗️

NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Advanced filtration for PFAS, fluoride, nitrates, and organic chemicals.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 60651 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 60651?+
Tap water in 60651 (Chicago, IL) meets major standards but has a grade of C due to minor past violations. Vulnerable populations may want to use a certified filter as a precaution.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 60651 (Chicago, IL)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 60651, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in IL. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 60651?+
Tap water in 60651 is classified as Very Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 189 mg/L (11.1 GPG). A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Should I test private well water in 60651?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 60651 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 60651 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 60651 is 9.3 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 60651?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 60651. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 60651?+
Tap water in ZIP code 60651 is provided by Chicago (EPA ID: IL0316000), serving approximately 2,746,388 residents.
What water filter should I use in 60651?+
Based on water metrics for 60651, we recommend Reverse Osmosis (PFAS & Lead). Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 58 (Reverse Osmosis), NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead & VOCs), NSF/ANSI P473 (PFAS/PFOS).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 60651 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Chicago. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →