Water Quality in Fox Lake, IL: 114 Violations - Grade N/A
5 water systems · 1 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 114 violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Fox Lake. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Fox Lake
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60020 | 114 | 2 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Fox Lake, Illinois has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 1 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 114 violations, including 2 health-based violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP record with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Fox Lake water systems is 0.0061 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 1 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 55% of homes built before 1986, Fox Lake has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Fox Lake
Fox Lake is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 10,846 people across 1 ZIP code.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Fox Lake. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Fox Lake
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Fox Lake Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Fox Lake's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 6 | 1 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 6 | 1 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 5 | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 4 | 1 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 4 | 1 | No |
| Nitrite | Inorganic | 1 mg/L | 3 | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 3 | 1 | No |
| Atrazine | Organic | 0.003 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Benzene | Organic | 0.005 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Cadmium | Inorganic | 0.005 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Chromium | Inorganic | 0.1 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Fluoride | Inorganic | 4 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Selenium | Inorganic | 0.05 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 0.1 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 8 enforcement actions against water systems serving Fox Lake. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-01-27 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-01-27 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2026-01-16 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-01-16 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2026-01-13 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-01-13 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-11-18 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-06-30 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-01-27.
Fox Lake vs. Nearby Illinois Cities
How Fox Lake's water quality compares to similar cities in Illinois:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Lake | 1 | 114 | 5 | 10,846 |
| Metropolis | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10,823 |
| Worth | 1 | 1 | 3 | 10,878 |
| Wood River | 1 | 5 | 3 | 10,780 |
Common Questions About Fox Lake Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Fox Lake, Illinois:
Is Fox Lake water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Fox Lake's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Fox Lake tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 2 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Fox Lake? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Fox Lake vs. Illinois Average
Understanding how Fox Lake compares to the broader Illinois average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Fox Lake.
ZIP Codes in Fox Lake
Fox Lake spans 1 ZIP code. EPA water-system coverage is available for 1 directly mapped ZIP code. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.