Loading water data...
Comprehensive Consumer Confidence Report for Chicago, Illinois
Water meets EPA safety standards
View detailed city report →Contaminant levels compared to EPA maximum limits
9% of EPA limit. Disinfection byproduct from chlorination, well within the safe range.
15% of the action level at the tap. Chicago has more lead service lines than any US city, so levels can be higher in older homes with lead plumbing.
Added for dental health per Illinois law, well below the EPA maximum.
7% of the action level. Can leach from household plumbing, within safe limits citywide.
Chicago is fortunate to draw from Lake Michigan, a large, well-protected freshwater source. The Department of Water Management monitors the lake intakes continuously for contamination.
The system supplies drinking water to the City of Chicago and roughly 125 surrounding suburbs — more than 5 million people in total.
The Department of Water Management uses coagulation, sedimentation, and rapid sand filtration to remove particles and turbidity from Lake Michigan water.
Chlorine is added to kill bacteria and viruses and to maintain a protective residual throughout the distribution system.
Fluoride is added at treatment to support dental health, as required by Illinois state law, and held well below the EPA maximum.
A blended phosphate is added to coat pipe interiors and reduce lead and copper leaching from older service lines and household plumbing.
No Active Violations
Chicago's water system currently meets federal and state drinking water standards. A small number of past monitoring and reporting issues have been resolved.
View the complete Consumer Confidence Report on the Chicago Department of Water Management website:
chicago.gov/depts/water →Call 311, the City of Chicago's service line, to request a printed copy of the annual water quality report.
Written requests can be sent to the Chicago Department of Water Management using the mailing address listed on its page at chicago.gov.
Chicago's water meets EPA standards for safety. The Chicago Department of Water Management treats and tests Lake Michigan water continuously. Because Chicago has more lead service lines than any US city, residents in older homes may prefer additional filtration, especially a filter certified to remove lead.
Chicago draws nearly all of its drinking water from Lake Michigan through offshore intake cribs. It is treated at the Jardine and Eugene Sawyer Water Purification Plants before being distributed to the city and roughly 125 suburbs.
The primary contaminants detected are disinfection byproducts (TTHMs) from the chlorination process, all well within EPA limits. Lead can be present at the tap in homes served by lead service lines or with old plumbing, even though the water leaves the plant lead-free.
While not required, a water filter adds protection — especially in Chicago, where lead service lines are widespread. If your home was built before 1986, use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead. A popular no-install option is the Clearly Filtered pitcher (lead-certified), or see our full water filter guide for under-sink and whole-house options.
The Chicago Department of Water Management publishes annual Consumer Confidence Reports online at chicago.gov. You can also request a printed copy by calling 311, the City of Chicago's service line.