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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
EPA records for CHICAGO • Updated September 2026
Grade B — based on EPA compliance records, lead testing and PFAS monitoring
CHICAGO is in good standing with EPA, with only minor deductions for monitoring paperwork, low-level PFAS or historical readings near a limit.
Yes — by EPA's records Chicago, IL tap water is safe to drink and earns a B. The grade rests on lead at 7 ppb (90th percentile) — under the 15 ppb action level but above 5 ppb. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes — by EPA's records Chicago, IL tap water is safe to drink and earns a B. The grade rests on lead at 7 ppb (90th percentile) — under the 15 ppb action level but above 5 ppb. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
CHICAGO's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2026-01-01 to 2026-06-30) was 7 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
No. None of the 232 UCMR5 PFAS results for CHICAGO (2024-01-08 to 2024-10-08) were at or above the reporting limit of roughly 3–5 ppt.
CHICAGO has 45 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 9 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
CHICAGO reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 2,721,308 people (EPA PWSID IL0316000).
Optional but sensible. The findings on this page are below federal limits; an NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter handles lead and improves taste.
Want to know what's really in your Chicago tap water?
Lead was found at 7 ppb (90th percentile) in Chicago's latest tap sampling — below the action level, but there is no safe level of lead.
Tap Score certified lab · Amazon. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
CHICAGO · SDWIS records since 2016 · 5-year window starts 2021-09-13
EPA records no health-based violations for this system in the last five years. The 9 violations on file in that window are monitoring or reporting paperwork issues, not measured contaminant exceedances.
| Violation | Category | Compliance period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notification, Known or Potential LSLLEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | Reporting | 2025-07-02 | Resolvedreturned 2026-03-26 |
| Monitoring, Turbidity (Enhanced SWTR)Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring & reporting | 2025-05-01 → 2025-05-31 | Resolvedreturned 2025-05-31 |
| Monitoring, Turbidity (Enhanced SWTR)Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring & reporting | 2025-04-01 → 2025-04-30 | Resolvedreturned 2025-04-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularDinoseb | Monitoring & reporting | 2025-01-01 → 2025-12-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)CARBON, TOTAL | Monitoring & reporting | 2024-07-01 → 2024-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2024-09-30 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)CARBON, TOTAL | Monitoring & reporting | 2024-07-01 → 2024-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2024-09-30 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)CARBON, TOTAL | Monitoring & reporting | 2024-07-01 → 2024-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2024-09-30 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)CARBON, TOTAL | Monitoring & reporting | 2024-07-01 → 2024-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2024-09-30 |
| Lead Consumer NoticeLead and Copper Rule | Monitoring & reporting | 2021-12-30 | Resolvedreturned 2022-02-01 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Complete Failure to ReportConsumer Confidence Rule | Other | 2021-07-01 | Resolvedreturned 2021-08-05 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Complete Failure to ReportConsumer Confidence Rule | Other | 2020-07-01 | Resolvedreturned 2020-07-06 |
| Monitoring, RegularEndrin | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularBHC-GAMMA | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularMethoxychlor | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularToxaphene | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularDiquat | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularEndothall | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularPicloram | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularHexachlorocyclopentadiene | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularCarbofuran | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularHeptachlor epoxide | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, Regular2,4-D | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularHEXACHLOROBENZENE | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularBenzo(a)pyrene | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularPentachlorophenol | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
Showing 25 of 45 violations on file. Full record on EPA ECHO.
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_VIOLATIONS_ENFORCEMENT.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported by CHICAGO
Below the action level, but detectable. In the most recent monitoring period on file (2026-01-01 to 2026-06-30), 90% of the homes CHICAGO sampled had lead at or below 7 ppb.
EPA's action level is 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb under the 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). There is no safe level of lead; the 90th-percentile figure describes the system, not your tap — homes with lead service lines or pre-1986 plumbing can be higher.
| Monitoring period | Lead 90th percentile | vs 15 ppb action level |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-01 → 2026-06-30 | 7 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2025-07-01 → 2025-12-31 | 8.8 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2025-01-01 → 2025-06-30 | 7.3 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2024-01-01 → 2024-12-31 | 7.1 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | 7.7 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2022-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | 6.8 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2019-01-01 → 2021-12-31 | 5.6 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2016-01-01 → 2018-12-31 | 9.1 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2013-01-01 → 2015-12-31 | 9.11 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2010-01-01 → 2012-12-31 | 6.6 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2008-01-01 → 2010-12-31 | 6.07 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2005-01-01 → 2007-12-31 | 6.1 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_LCR_SAMPLES.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA UCMR5 monitoring, 2024-01-08 to 2024-10-08 · 232 PFAS results at entry points to the distribution system
No PFAS detected. None of the 232 UCMR5 PFAS results for CHICAGO were at or above the method reporting limit. Reporting limits are about 3–5 ppt, so “not detected” means below that threshold — not proven zero.
| Compound | Detects / samples | Max (ppt) | Reporting limit | EPA MCL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 0 / 8 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFOS | 0 / 8 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS | 0 / 8 | < 3 | 3 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFNA | 0 / 8 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA | 0 / 8 | < 5 | 5 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFBS | 0 / 8 | < 3 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
“< 4 ppt” means below the laboratory reporting limit, not zero. ppt = parts per trillion (ng/L). Results are for finished water leaving the treatment plant.
What PFAS are and how to remove them →
Source: UCMR5 occurrence data, EPA Data Summary July 2026 (UCMR5_All.txt)
EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance samples for CHICAGO · finished water only · dated data, released 2024
These are the regulated-contaminant samples CHICAGO reported to its state between 2012 and 2019 — the most recent nationwide sample-level dataset EPA has published. Every scored contaminant stayed within its Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) and averaged below 80% of the limit. Treat this as history, not today's tap water.
| Contaminant | Samples | Average | Max | EPA limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 164 detects | 0.155 µg/L | 0.767 µg/L | 10 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Nitrate (as N) | 16 | 0.346 mg/L | 0.462 mg/L | 10 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Fluoride | 16 | 0.752 mg/L | 0.977 mg/L | 4 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Chromium (total) | 160 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 100 µg/LMCL | Not detected |
| Radium-226/228 | 2 | 0.67 pCi/L | 0.84 pCi/L | 5 pCi/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 282 | 20.667 µg/L | 45.4 µg/L | 80 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 282281 detects | 10.076 µg/L | 25.9 µg/L | 60 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Lead (tap samples) | 151142 detects | 4.856 µg/L | 120 µg/L | 15 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
| Copper (tap samples) | 151147 detects | 31.888 µg/L | 510 µg/L | 1300 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
Averages count non-detects as zero. TTHM and HAA5 limits are locational running annual averages, so a single high sample is not a violation — we grade those on the average only. Lead and copper rows are individual tap samples and are shown for context; compliance (and our score) uses the 90th-percentile result above. LRAA = locational running annual average; ND = not detected.
Source: SYR4 Six-Year Review compliance monitoring data 2012–2019 (released 2024-03)
A point-of-use (under-sink) system typically runs $200-$600 installed; whole-house treatment $1,000-$3,000+ depending on flow and what has to come out. Tell us where you are and a certified water-treatment installer serving Chicago will follow up - no obligation.
CHICAGO · 486,450 service lines inventoried · Q2 2026 snapshot
CHICAGO reports 360,857 service lines that are lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement (74% of the lines it has inventoried), plus 39,427 lines whose material is still unknown. A lead service line is the pipe between the water main and a building, so treated water can pick up lead after it leaves the plant — which city-level testing does not capture. Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, utilities must replace lead lines within 10 years starting in 2027.
Source: EPA SDWIS Service Line Inventory (Q2 2026) · PWS ID IL0316000 · See all Illinois lead service lines. We may earn a commission from filters and test kits, at no extra cost to you.
Surface-water systems draw from rivers, lakes or reservoirs and must filter and disinfect, which is why disinfection byproducts (TTHM, HAA5) are the readings to watch.
How to test your tap water and the treatment options that actually fit Chicago homes
The most reliable way to know what is actually coming out of your tap is a certified mail-in lab test. City-wide EPA data (like the report above) reflects the water leaving the treatment plant, but contaminants such as lead and copper can be picked up from your own service line and household plumbing — so the water at your Chicago faucet can differ from the system average. A state-certified lab measures dozens of contaminants at once with results you can trust; you can also find one near you through the EPA's certified-lab list at epa.gov/dwlabcert. Hardware-store test strips are cheaper and instant, but they only screen for a few basics (chlorine, hardness, pH, and a rough lead pass/fail) and are far less accurate — treat them as a first look, not a diagnosis.
Match the treatment to what your test finds. Reverse osmosis (RO) removes the widest range of contaminants — lead, arsenic, nitrate, PFAS, and dissolved solids — which makes an under-sink reverse osmosis system the most thorough choice for Chicago households with heavy-metal or PFAS concerns. If your main issue is taste, odor, or chlorine, an activated carbon filter (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) is simpler and cheaper and handles chlorine and many organic compounds well, though carbon alone does not remove arsenic, nitrate, or most PFAS. NSF-certified pitchers rated for lead reduction are the easiest way to start today while you decide on a permanent setup.
We may earn a commission from testing kits and filters purchased through these links, at no extra cost to you.
What Chicago residents measured at their own tap (ZIPs 60018, 60106, 60601, 60602 +56 more). All reader results →
Reader submissions are unverified and shown separately from EPA data. They reflect one tap on one day, not the utility's compliance record.
No reader results for Chicago yet - yours would be the first. A hardness or TDS number from a $10 strip kit is enough to start the map.
Help build the first reader-sourced water map. Enter whatever your test strip, TDS pen or lab report shows - one number is enough.
Chicago ranks #39 of 56 graded Illinois cities.
Yes — by EPA's records Chicago, IL tap water is safe to drink and earns a B. The grade rests on lead at 7 ppb (90th percentile) — under the 15 ppb action level but above 5 ppb. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
CHICAGO's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2026-01-01 to 2026-06-30) was 7 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
No. None of the 232 UCMR5 PFAS results for CHICAGO (2024-01-08 to 2024-10-08) were at or above the reporting limit of roughly 3–5 ppt.
CHICAGO has 45 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 9 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
CHICAGO reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 2,721,308 people (EPA PWSID IL0316000).
Optional but sensible. The findings on this page are below federal limits; an NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter handles lead and improves taste.
Lead was found at 7 ppb (90th percentile) in Chicago's latest tap sampling — below the action level, but there is no safe level of lead.
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Based on contaminants detected in your water, these resources may be helpful:
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Tap water is one piece of the picture — our sister sites cover the rest for Chicago, IL.
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