CITY REPORT IL HEALTH VIOLATIONS: 5

Chicago, IL: 5 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 71/100

86 ZIP codes · 17 water systems · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for Chicago: B.

The model grade is high, but the records on this page include findings worth reviewing.

Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (5 health-based violations). NSF certified filters →

In ZipCheckup's scoring, Chicago, IL lands in the A-B grade tier.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS

86
ZIP Codes
17
Water Systems
56
ZIPs Linked to Systems with Violations
B · 71
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
County Radon Potential (Moderate)

Key Facts for Chicago Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 640 violations since 2021.
  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0072 mg/L.

Water Quality in Chicago

We track home safety signals for 86 ZIP codes in Chicago, Illinois. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 56 ZIP codes and 17 water systems.

56 of 56 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 640 total, including 5 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: B (71/100)

Water sources: Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Total organic carbon Disinfection Byproducts 224 56
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 112 56
Consumer Confidence Rule Reporting 76 56
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions Treatment Technique 67 56
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 60 56

Lead Risk

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0072 mg/L
  • 0 of 56 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
  • 77% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
  • 45% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
  • Median year built: 1950
  • Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
  • Lead exposure risk score: 68/100
  • Estimated lead service line probability: 22%
  • 49 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 77% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Chicago residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

1,251,805 total housing units across 86 ZIP codes:

Era Units Share
Pre-1940 497,514 40%
1940–1949 103,521 8%
1950–1959 145,996 12%
1960–1969 122,463 10%
1970–1979 98,840 8%
1980–1989 60,618 5%
1990–1999 62,368 5%
2000–2009 102,845 8%
2010–2019 55,397 4%
2020+ 2,243 0%

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Chicago:

  • 949 flood insurance claims on record
  • $6,198,814 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
  • 608 claims with payment data
  • 341 claims without reported payment fields
  • $10,195 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
  • Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: X (other)
  • 11 of 56 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
  • Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory

Radon Risk

86 of 86 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 2.

The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
60601 72/100 B 10
60602 72/100 B 10
60603 72/100 B 10
60604 72/100 B 10
60605 72/100 B 10
60606 72/100 B 10
60607 72/100 B 10
60608 72/100 B 10
60609 72/100 B 10
60610 72/100 B 10

Areas Needing Attention

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
60633 58/100 C 31
60638 63/100 C 25
60644 65/100 C 18
60652 67/100 C 14
60629 67/100 C 14
60655 69/100 C 16
60656 70/100 B 20
60631 70/100 B 20
60646 71/100 B 11
60634 71/100 B 11

What Chicago Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

  • Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
  • Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
  • Check your ZIP code - each area in Chicago has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

  • NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
  • NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
  • Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Test for Radon

  • Chicago is in a moderate-risk radon area
  • Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
  • If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

Stay Informed

All ZIP Codes in Chicago

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Chicago, IL?

The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. Chicago has an average score of 71/100 (grade B) across 56 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 640 recorded EPA violations across 56 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 5 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.

Does Chicago have lead in the water?

The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Chicago is 0.0072 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 0 of 56 ZIP codes with known action-level status are served by a system whose 90th-percentile lead result exceeded the EPA action level. About 77% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Chicago at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 949 flood insurance claim records in Chicago ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $10,195 among 608 claims with payment data. 341 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 56 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 11 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.

Are there lead pipes in Chicago homes?

77% of Chicago housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 45% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 22%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Chicago water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Chlorite, Fecal Coliform, Surface Water Treatment Rule. Across 56 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 56 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

Chicago Infrastructure Age

1950
Median Build Year
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

Median build year of 1950 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

1950
Median Year Built
N/A
Pre-1986 (lead solder era; lead paint banned 1978)
0%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Chicago were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Chicago: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

0.0072
mg/L average of reported water-system 90th-percentile lead results (the 0.015 action level applies to each system's result, not to this average)

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

Available area-level lead records for Chicago do not determine the lead level at an individual tap. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Chicago: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

949
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$10,195
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
20%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Chicago contains 949 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $10,195. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 20% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.

How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure.

Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.

Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.

Deep Dive Reports

Detailed analysis for Chicago, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for Chicago, IL?
Chicago has an average Home Safety Score of 71/100 (Grade B) under ZipCheckup model 4.0.0, an area-level model that draws on EPA water compliance records, PFAS screening, EPA radon zones, and annual EPA air quality data; see the methodology page for how inputs and coverage are handled. 640 violations appear in EPA records for water systems mapped to these ZIP codes. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
How many violations are on record for water systems serving Chicago?
EPA records list 640 EPA violations, including 5 health-based violations for Chicago water systems. These water-system violations are shown for 86 mapped ZIP codes.
Does Chicago water have lead?
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Chicago is 0.0072 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average. EPA's health goal for lead is zero. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve Chicago?
Our records map 17 water systems to 86 ZIP codes in Chicago. The related population figure in our data is approximately 2,691,226 people; it is not a count of people served citywide.
Home → Cities → Illinois → Chicago, IL

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Chicago, IL: 5 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 71/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/il/chicago/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-il-chicago,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Chicago, IL: 5 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 71/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/il/chicago/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

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