Lead Exceeds EPA Limit at Maine Township High School District 207 (IL)
10 ZIP codes · 25 water systems · 5,806,494 people served · Updated 2026-07-23
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA drinking-water data for Maine Township High School District 207: 22 unresolved violations in the water systems serving this district.
Data: EPA SDWIS, NCES Last verified: 2026-07-23
Why School Water Quality Matters
Children drink 2–4× more water per pound of body weight than adults, making them more vulnerable to contaminants. School water quality affects students for hours every weekday.
Water Quality Overview
The Maine Township High School District 207 in Illinois spans 10 ZIP codes served by 25 community water systems, providing water to approximately 5,806,494 people.
The average Home Safety Score across the district is C (62/100)
- with the lowest-scoring area at 49/100 .
Water quality in this district falls in the bottom 64% nationally.
Why This Matters for Children
Children are more vulnerable to water contaminants than adults. The EPA and CDC identify these key risks:
- Lead exposure - Even low levels of lead can affect brain development, reduce IQ, and cause behavioral problems in children. There is no safe level of lead for children.
- PFAS ("forever chemicals") - Linked to immune system effects and developmental delays in children. Children drink more water relative to body weight than adults.
- Nitrate - Dangerous for infants (can cause "blue baby syndrome"). Agricultural areas often have elevated nitrate.
- Disinfection byproducts - Long-term exposure may increase cancer risk. School water fountains often have stagnant water that concentrates these compounds.
Lead Levels in the District
| Metric | Value | EPA Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Average lead level (90th percentile) | 0.0077 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L |
| Highest lead level | 0.0172 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L EXCEEDS |
| ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level | 1 of 10 | - |
EPA Violation History
Contaminants of Concern
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 19 | No | 9 |
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 12 | Yes | 2 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | No | 4 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 5 | No | 3 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | No | 4 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 4 | No | 2 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | No | 3 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 3 | No | 3 |
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate risk)
Water Quality by ZIP Code
| ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Violations | Health | Lead Level | Exceeds? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60631 | Chicago | C (66) | 19 | 1 | 0.0093 mg/L | No |
| 60656 | Chicago | B (71) | 19 | 1 | 0.0093 mg/L | No |
| 60025 | Glenview | D (49) | 5 | 0 | 0.0098 mg/L | No |
| 60056 | Mount Prospect | C (68) | 4 | 0 | 0.00428 mg/L | No |
| 60068 | Park Ridge | C (63) | 4 | 0 | 0.00788 mg/L | No |
| 60016 | Des Plaines | C (59) | 3 | 0 | 0.000317 mg/L | No |
| 60018 | Des Plaines | C (64) | 3 | 0 | 0.000317 mg/L | No |
| 60053 | Morton Grove | D (50) | 3 | 0 | 0.0172 mg/L | Yes |
| 60714 | Niles | D (53) | 1 | 0 | 0.0124 mg/L | No |
| 60706 | Harwood Heights | B (79) | 0 | 0 | 0.00657 mg/L | No |
Water Systems Serving This District
| Water System | Population Served | Source | ZIP Codes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 2,746,388 | Surface water | 60068, 60631, 60656 |
| Arlington Heights | 73,320 | Surface water | 60056 |
| Skokie | 66,422 | Surface water | 60053 |
| Des Plaines | 60,675 | Surface water | 60016, 60018, 60056, 60068 |
| Glenview | 47,856 | Surface water | 60016, 60025, 60714 |
| Mount Prospect | 41,000 | Surface water | 60016, 60056 |
| Park Ridge | 39,800 | Surface water | 60016, 60068, 60631 +2 more |
| Wheeling | 39,725 | Surface water | 60056 |
25 water systems total serve this district.
Lead Risk Assessment
Infrastructure Risk Factors
| Risk Factor | District Average | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Housing built before 1986 | 82.3% | Lead solder was used in plumbing until 1986 |
| Housing built before 1950 | 14.8% | Lead pipes were common before 1950 |
| Lead service line probability | 25% | Estimated chance of lead pipes connecting homes to water mains |
| Average lead level (90th pctl) | 0.0077 mg/L | EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L |
| Highest measured lead level | 0.0172 mg/L | EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L |
Schools built before 1986 are especially at risk. Lead can leach from older pipes, fixtures, and solder joints into drinking water — particularly when water sits in pipes overnight or over weekends.
Detailed Violation History
| Contaminant | Category | Total Violations | Health-Based | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 19 | No | 9 |
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 12 | Yes | 2 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | No | 4 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 5 | No | 3 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | No | 4 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 4 | No | 2 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | No | 3 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 3 | No | 3 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | No | 2 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | No | 2 |
Most Recent Violations
- Violation in ZIP 60016 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
- Violation in ZIP 60016 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
- Violation in ZIP 60016 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
- Violation in ZIP 60018 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
- Violation in ZIP 60018 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
Is the Water Safe at Maine Township High School District 207 Schools?
Several factors warrant attention for families in the Maine Township High School District 207 area:
- Water systems in this district have recorded 2 health-based violations. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose health risks.
- 1 ZIP code have lead levels exceeding the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead is especially dangerous for children.
- 82.3% of buildings in this district predate 1986, increasing the risk of lead in school plumbing.
- 22 violations remain unresolved, meaning the issues have not been officially corrected.
Important context: EPA compliance data measures water quality at the utility level. Individual school buildings — especially older ones — may have additional risks from internal plumbing, lead fixtures, and stagnant water in pipes.
What Parents Should Do
Testing
- Request your school's water testing results. Under the EPA's 3Ts program, schools are encouraged to test drinking water. Ask the Maine Township High School District 207 school board for the most recent results.
- Test your home water. If your home was built before 1986, lead may be present in your plumbing. Free or low-cost test kits are often available from your water utility.
Advocacy
- Attend school board meetings and ask about the district's water quality testing schedule and remediation plans.
- Request lead fixture replacement if your child's school was built before 1986 and hasn't upgraded its plumbing.
- Contact your water utility about the 22 unresolved violations in the district. Ask for a timeline for resolution.
Resources
ZIP Code Reports for This District
- 60631 — Chicago (Grade: C), 19 violations
- 60656 — Chicago (Grade: B), 19 violations
- 60025 — Glenview (Grade: D), 5 violations
- 60056 — Mount Prospect (Grade: C), 4 violations
- 60068 — Park Ridge (Grade: C), 4 violations
- 60016 — Des Plaines (Grade: C), 3 violations
- 60018 — Des Plaines (Grade: C), 3 violations
- 60053 — Morton Grove (Grade: D), 3 violations
- 60714 — Niles (Grade: D), 1 violation
- 60706 — Harwood Heights (Grade: B), no violations
What Parents Can Do
- Request lead testing at your child's school - The EPA's 3Ts program (Training, Testing, Taking Action) provides guidance for schools. Ask your school board about their water testing schedule.
- Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) - Your water utility publishes this annually. It details all detected contaminants.
- Consider a water filter for your home - NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) filters are certified to remove lead. This is especially important for infant formula preparation.
- Pack water from home - If you're concerned about school water quality, send your child with a water bottle filled at home (filtered if possible).
- Stay informed - Bookmark this page to check for updates on water quality in your school district.
Need help with school water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the water safe in Maine Township High School District 207 schools?
Water systems serving Maine Township High School District 207 have recorded 2 health-based violations in the past 5 years, and 1 area exceeds the EPA lead action level. While utilities are required to meet federal standards, individual school buildings may have older plumbing that can introduce contaminants. Parents should request lead testing results from their school.
Does Maine Township High School District 207 test for lead in school water?
Federal law does not require schools to test for lead in drinking water (except in some states with specific mandates). The EPA's voluntary 3Ts program encourages testing. Contact your school district office to ask about their testing schedule and results.
What level of lead is safe for children?
There is no safe level of lead for children, according to the CDC. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) triggers corrective action for water systems, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school water contain no more than 0.001 mg/L (1 ppb).
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- School districts: NCES EDGE Geographic Relationship Files
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.