Lead · Illinois

Lead in Illinois Drinking Water — 691 ZIPs Tested

EPA data analysis for lead in Illinois drinking water systems

ZipCheckup tracks Lead in Illinois drinking water: 691 ZIP codes with detected levels on record. 419 ZIP codes exceed the EPA limit (15 ppb (action level)). Lead carries a high health-risk designation.

691
ZIPs with Detections
419
ZIPs with Violations
45.4%
Violation Rate
15 ppb (action level)
EPA Limit
High
Health Risk
Reverse Osmosis or NSF 53 Carbon Block
Best Filter Method

Lead Contamination in Illinois

ZipCheckup analyzed drinking water data across 923 ZIP codes in Illinois for lead contamination. 691 ZIP codes have reported lead detections, and 419 have EPA violations on record.

The violation rate for lead in Illinois is 45.4% of all ZIP codes — higher than the national average.

EPA Standard for Lead

The EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) for lead is 15 ppb (action level), governed by the Lead and Copper Rule (LCRR/LCRI). Water systems that exceed this limit must take corrective action and notify consumers.

Worst ZIP Codes for Lead in Illinois

These ZIP codes reported the highest lead levels in Illinois based on CCR reports and EPA data:

Lowest Lead Levels in Illinois

These ZIP codes had the lowest reported lead detections in Illinois:

Health Effects of Lead

Lead is a potent neurotoxin with no safe level of exposure. In children, lead causes developmental delays, reduced IQ, and behavioral problems. In adults, it causes high blood pressure, kidney damage, and cardiovascular effects. Pregnant women face increased risk of premature birth.

How to Remove Lead From Drinking Water

The most effective treatment for lead removal is Reverse Osmosis or NSF 53 Carbon Block. Look for filters certified under NSF 53 / NSF 58 standards.

Check Your ZIP Code

Use the ZipCheckup water quality search to see lead data for your specific water system in Illinois.

Worst ZIP Codes for Lead in Illinois

Ranked by highest lead detection level.

Rank ZIP Code City Level Detected EPA Limit Status
1 60035 Highland Park 76 ppb 15 ppb Exceeds
2 60040 Highwood 76 ppb 15 ppb Exceeds
3 61752 Le Roy 49 ppb 15 ppb Exceeds
4 60439 Lemont 20 ppb 15 ppb Exceeds
5 60440 Bolingbrook 20 ppb 15 ppb Exceeds
6 60446 Romeoville 20 ppb 15 ppb Exceeds
7 60464 Palos Park 20 ppb 15 ppb Exceeds
8 60491 Homer Glen 20 ppb 15 ppb Exceeds
9 61341 Marseilles 19 ppb 15 ppb Exceeds
10 61360 Seneca 19 ppb 15 ppb Exceeds
11 60010 Barrington 15 ppb 15 ppb Within Limit
12 60013 Cary 15 ppb 15 ppb Within Limit
13 60422 Flossmoor 14 ppb 15 ppb Within Limit
14 60429 Hazel Crest 14 ppb 15 ppb Within Limit
15 60430 Homewood 14 ppb 15 ppb Within Limit
16 60476 Thornton 14 ppb 15 ppb Within Limit
17 60478 Country Club Hills 14 ppb 15 ppb Within Limit
18 60633 Chicago 14 ppb 15 ppb Within Limit
19 62246 Greenville 14 ppb 15 ppb Within Limit
20 62262 Mulberry Grove 14 ppb 15 ppb Within Limit

Lowest Lead Levels in Illinois

ZIP Code City Level Detected
62995 Vienna 1 ppb
62982 Rosiclare 1 ppb
62947 Herod 1 ppb
62939 Goreville 1 ppb
62938 Golconda 1 ppb
62931 Elizabethtown 1 ppb
62914 Cairo 1 ppb
62898 Woodlawn 1 ppb
62894 Waltonville 1 ppb
62889 Texico 1 ppb

Cities with Lead Data in Illinois

285 cities in Illinois have lead testing data available.

+ 265 more cities

Illinois Water Quality Overview: See statewide water quality rankings on the Illinois water quality page.
Learn more about Lead: Read the full guide on Lead in drinking water.
Home → Contaminants → Lead → Illinois

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Lead in Illinois Drinking Water — 691 ZIPs Tested. https://zipcheckup.com/contaminants/lead/illinois/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-contaminants-lead-illinois,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Lead in Illinois Drinking Water — 691 ZIPs Tested}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/contaminants/lead/illinois/}
}

Page version: August 2026.

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