Chicago, IL: 86 Health Violations - 68/100 (2026)
86 ZIP codes · 15 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Chicago: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (86 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
In recent monitoring cycles, Chicago tap water shows a mixed record for IL - several systems have documented violations alongside areas with clean compliance histories.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
Key Facts for Chicago Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 1634 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0093 mg/L.
Water Quality in Chicago
We track water quality and home safety data for 86 ZIP codes in Chicago, Illinois, covering 15 community water systems serving approximately 2,691,226 people.
86 of 86 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 1,634 total, including 86 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: C (68/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 516 | 86 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 258 | 86 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 172 | 86 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 172 | 86 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 172 | 86 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0093 mg/L
- 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: 69/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 23%
- 51 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:
- 944 flood insurance claims on record
- $6,195,716 total paid out
- $6,563 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
- 10 of 86 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 86 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60601 | 71/100 | B | 19 |
| 60602 | 71/100 | B | 19 |
| 60603 | 71/100 | B | 19 |
| 60604 | 71/100 | B | 19 |
| 60606 | 71/100 | B | 19 |
| 60607 | 71/100 | B | 19 |
| 60608 | 71/100 | B | 19 |
| 60611 | 71/100 | B | 19 |
| 60612 | 71/100 | B | 19 |
| 60613 | 71/100 | B | 19 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60637 | 61/100 | C | 19 |
| 60628 | 61/100 | C | 19 |
| 60625 | 61/100 | C | 19 |
| 60619 | 61/100 | C | 19 |
| 60660 | 66/100 | C | 19 |
| 60659 | 66/100 | C | 19 |
| 60657 | 66/100 | C | 19 |
| 60652 | 66/100 | C | 19 |
| 60651 | 66/100 | C | 19 |
| 60647 | 66/100 | C | 19 |
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
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Chicago
- 60290 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60601 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60602 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60603 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60604 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60605 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60606 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60607 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60608 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60609 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60610 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60611 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60612 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60613 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60614 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60615 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60616 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60617 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60618 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60619 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60620 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60621 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60622 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60623 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60624 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60625 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60626 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60628 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60629 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60630 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60631 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60632 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60633 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60634 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60636 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60637 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60638 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60639 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60640 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60641 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60642 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60643 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60644 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60645 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60646 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60647 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60649 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60651 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60652 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60653 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60654 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60655 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60656 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60657 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60659 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60660 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60661 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60664 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60666 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60668 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60669 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60670 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60673 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60674 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60675 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60677 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60678 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60679 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60680 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60681 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60682 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60684 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60685 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60686 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60687 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60688 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60689 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60690 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60691 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60693 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60694 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60695 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60696 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60697 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60699 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 60701 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Chicago, IL?
Chicago has an average Home Safety Score of 68/100 (grade C) across 86 ZIP codes. There are 1634 recorded EPA violations, 86 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Chicago have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Chicago is 0.0093 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 77% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Chicago at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 944 flood insurance claims in Chicago ZIP codes, with an average payout of $6,563. 10 of 86 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
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 23%. 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 Gross Beta, Surface Water Treatment Rule, Stage 2 DBP Rule. Across 86 ZIP codes, 86 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Chicago Infrastructure Age
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
Copper plumbing joined with lead solder was standard practice through the mid-1980s - a design choice that federal regulators prohibited in 1986. Chicago's residential inventory, centered around a median build year of 1950, is weighted toward the post-prohibition era. That context is relevant because the primary plumbing risk in older homes comes not from the municipal water supply but from what happens as water moves through lead-jointed pipes inside the structure - an exposure pathway that newer homes mostly avoid.
Most homes in Chicago were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Chicago: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Lead risk in Chicago appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. 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: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
The NFIP claim record for Chicago - 944 filed incidents - reflects genuine, recurring flood exposure rather than an isolated event or two. When a community accumulates flood claims at this volume and carries 0% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated zones, flood history starts to factor into water quality planning in ways it doesn't for lower-exposure areas. Flooding introduces specific contamination pathways - runoff overwhelming treatment facility intake, surface water infiltrating private wells, and pressure disruptions in distribution systems allowing backflow - all of which become more relevant as flood frequency increases.
Chicago has a moderate flood history with 944 FEMA claims. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones - over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Chicago
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Chicago, IL