Water Quality in Oak Forest, IL: 25 Violations - Grade N/A
5 water systems · 1 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 25 violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Oak Forest. 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 Oak Forest
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60452 | 25 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Oak Forest, 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 25 violations (all classified as monitoring/reporting type in the available record) across 1 directly mapped ZIP record with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Oak Forest water systems is 0.0073 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 1 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 73% of homes built before 1986, Oak Forest 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 Oak Forest
Oak Forest is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 26,511 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 Oak Forest. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Oak Forest
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 Oak Forest Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Oak Forest's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 7 | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 4 | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 4 | 1 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 2 | 1 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | N/A | 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 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Oak Forest. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-01-27 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-01-27 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-11-26 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-11-04 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-10-14 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-10-14 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-09-08 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-08-27 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-08-08 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-08-06 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-01-27.
Oak Forest vs. Nearby Illinois Cities
How Oak Forest's water quality compares to similar cities in Illinois:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Forest | 1 | 25 | 5 | 26,511 |
| Cary | 1 | 36 | 5 | 26,503 |
| Wilmette | 1 | 7 | 4 | 27,369 |
| Deerfield | 1 | 13 | 5 | 27,720 |
Common Questions About Oak Forest Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Oak Forest, Illinois:
Is Oak Forest water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Oak Forest's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Oak Forest tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. No health-based violations are recorded across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts, but this is not a property-level safety guarantee.
What is the best water filter for Oak Forest? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Oak Forest vs. Illinois Average
Understanding how Oak Forest 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 Oak Forest.
ZIP Codes in Oak Forest
Oak Forest 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.