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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.
Real EPA measurements of lead for Illinois water systems — latest Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results. Methodology
These cities have lead levels above the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level of 0.015 mg/L
These cities have lead levels above 50% of the EPA limit but within compliance
| City | Level | % of Limit | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb | 13.00 ppb | 86.7% | 40,290 |
| Calumet City | 12.40 ppb | 82.7% | 37,000 |
| Lombard | 11.20 ppb | 74.7% | 44,476 |
| Des Plaines | 11.10 ppb | 74.0% | 60,675 |
| Glenview | 9.80 ppb | 65.3% | 47,856 |
| Peoria | 9.00 ppb | 60.0% | 137,575 |
| Waukegan | 9.00 ppb | 60.0% | 87,149 |
| Arlington Heights | 8.83 ppb | 58.9% | 73,320 |
| Romeoville | 8.22 ppb | 54.8% | 50,458 |
| Oak Lawn | 8.10 ppb | 54.0% | 58,362 |
Showing 10 of 13 cities with elevated levels
Every Illinois system with a lead result in EPA's data, sorted by level.
| City | Level | Period | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ElginGrade D | 53.00 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2025-07-01 → 2025-12-31 | 15.00 ppb | 353.3% | Exceeds Limit |
| AuroraGrade D | 24.00 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2025-07-01 → 2025-12-31 | 15.00 ppb | 160.0% | Exceeds Limit |
| BartlettGrade C | 22.60 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2025-07-01 → 2025-12-31 | 15.00 ppb | 150.7% | Exceeds Limit |
| DeKalbGrade C | 13.00 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2026-01-01 → 2026-06-30 | 15.00 ppb | 86.7% | Warning |
| Calumet CityGrade F | 12.40 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2026-01-01 → 2026-06-30 | 15.00 ppb | 82.7% | Warning |
| LombardGrade B | 11.20 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2026-01-01 → 2026-06-30 | 15.00 ppb | 74.7% | Warning |
| Des PlainesGrade B | 11.10 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2026-01-01 → 2026-06-30 | 15.00 ppb | 74.0% | Warning |
| GlenviewGrade A | 9.80 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2025-07-01 → 2025-12-31 | 15.00 ppb | 65.3% | Warning |
| PeoriaGrade B | 9.00 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2026-01-01 → 2026-06-30 | 15.00 ppb | 60.0% | Warning |
| WaukeganGrade A | 9.00 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2025-07-01 → 2025-12-31 | 15.00 ppb | 60.0% | Warning |
| Arlington HeightsGrade B | 8.83 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2025-07-01 → 2025-12-31 | 15.00 ppb | 58.9% | Warning |
| RomeovilleGrade B | 8.22 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2025-01-01 → 2025-12-31 | 15.00 ppb | 54.8% | Warning |
| Oak LawnGrade A | 8.10 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2026-01-01 → 2026-06-30 | 15.00 ppb | 54.0% | Warning |
| EvanstonGrade A | 8.00 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2025-07-01 → 2025-12-31 | 15.00 ppb | 53.3% | Warning |
| SkokieGrade A | 7.99 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2026-01-01 → 2026-06-30 | 15.00 ppb | 53.3% | Warning |
| Crystal LakeGrade B | 7.70 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2025-07-01 → 2025-12-31 | 15.00 ppb | 51.3% | Warning |
| PalatineGrade A | 7.50 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2026-01-01 → 2026-06-30 | 15.00 ppb | 50.0% | Warning |
| RockfordGrade C | 7.30 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2026-01-01 → 2026-06-30 | 15.00 ppb | 48.7% | Safe |
| ElmhurstGrade A | 7.21 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2025-07-01 → 2025-12-31 | 15.00 ppb | 48.1% | Safe |
| NapervilleGrade B | 7.10 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2025-07-01 → 2025-12-31 | 15.00 ppb | 47.3% | Safe |
| ChicagoGrade B | 7.00 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2026-01-01 → 2026-06-30 | 15.00 ppb | 46.7% | Safe |
| Park RidgeGrade A | 6.79 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2026-01-01 → 2026-06-30 | 15.00 ppb | 45.3% | Safe |
| JolietGrade D | 6.47 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2026-01-01 → 2026-06-30 | 15.00 ppb | 43.1% | Safe |
| Granite CityGrade A | 6.00 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2025-07-01 → 2025-12-31 | 15.00 ppb | 40.0% | Safe |
| Rock IslandGrade A | 5.60 ppbLead 90th percentile | 2025-07-01 → 2025-12-31 | 15.00 ppb | 37.3% | Safe |
Showing 25 of 56 cities. View individual city pages for detailed reports.
Lead is a toxic metal that can cause serious health effects, especially in children and pregnant women. In children, lead exposure can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, irritability, hearing loss, and behavioral problems. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. In adults, lead exposure can cause cardiovascular effects including increased blood pressure and hypertension, decreased kidney function, and reproductive problems. There is no safe level of lead exposure, and the effects can be irreversible.
Corrosion of household plumbing systems including pipes, fittings, and solder; erosion of natural deposits; homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes
Based on our analysis of EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) data and local water utility reports,lead has been detected in 56 Illinois water systems. The average level across all tested cities is 41% of the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), with the highest detection at 353.3% of the limit.
Warning: 3 Illinois cities exceed the EPA limit for lead. Residents in these areas should consider water filtration options and consult with their local water utility.
The EPA Lead and Copper Rule requires action if lead exceeds 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) in more than 10% of tap water samples. The EPA MCL for lead is 0.015 mg/L. This limit is set to protect public health based on available scientific evidence about the contaminant's health effects.
56 Illinois cities have lead detected in their water supply. Of these, 3 cities exceed EPA safety limits.
Brain damage in children, developmental delays, high blood pressure, kidney damage. The most vulnerable groups include infants and young children and pregnant women.
The most effective methods for removing lead include Reverse Osmosis, NSF 53 Certified Carbon Filter, Distillation. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI for lead reduction.
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for lead is 0.015 mg/L.The EPA Lead and Copper Rule requires action if lead exceeds 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) in more than 10% of tap water samples.
This page shows what Illinois utilities reported for lead. It cannot tell you what is coming out of your own tap: utility samples are taken across a whole system and averaged, levels vary by address and season, and anything picked up after the water leaves the main never appears in their report.
Home water test kitscheck your own tap before buying any filterRecommended filtration methods for lead removal:
Removes 95-99% of lead
Must be certified for lead removal
Very effective but slow
Paid links. We earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Filters are matched to the removal methods listed above for lead.