Health Concerns Found SCHOOL DISTRICT

Pennoyer School District 79 (IL): 2 Health Violations

3 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · 5,501,841 people served · Updated 2026-07-23

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA drinking-water data for Pennoyer School District 79: 10 unresolved violations in the water systems serving this district.

Data: EPA SDWIS, NCES Last verified: 2026-07-23

B · 72
Avg Safety Score
3
ZIP Codes
7
Water Systems
38
Violations (5yr)
0.0084 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk

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 Pennoyer School District 79 in Illinois spans 3 ZIP codes served by 7 community water systems, providing water to approximately 5,501,841 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is B (72/100)

  • with the lowest-scoring area at 66/100 .

Water quality in this district ranks better than 59% of ZIP codes 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) 0.0084 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level 0.0093 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level 0 of 3 -

EPA Violation History

2 health-based violations recorded across 2 of 3 ZIP codes in the past 5 years. 10 violations remain unresolved.

Contaminants of Concern

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Gross Beta Radionuclides 12 Yes 2
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 6 No 2
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 4 No 2
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 4 No 2
Fecal Coliform Microbiological 4 No 2
Chlorite Disinfection Byproducts 2 No 2
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 2 No 2
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 2 No 2

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
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 60631, 60656
Park Ridge 39,800 Surface water 60631, 60656
Harwood Heights 9,065 Surface water 60706
Blackhawk Estates Llc 1,238 Groundwater 60631, 60656
Shady Oaks Mhp 912 Groundwater 60631, 60656
Willoway Terrace Mhp 900 Groundwater 60631, 60656
Sunny Acres Mhp 750 Groundwater 60631, 60656

Lead Risk Assessment

Lead risk: ELEVATED. 3 ZIP codes in this district have high lead exposure risk scores based on housing age and infrastructure.

Infrastructure Risk Factors

Risk Factor District Average Why It Matters
Housing built before 1986 85.7% Lead solder was used in plumbing until 1986
Housing built before 1950 23% 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) 0.0084 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L
Highest measured lead level 0.0093 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

1 health-based contaminant have triggered violations in this district: Gross Beta.
Contaminant Category Total Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Gross Beta Radionuclides 12 Yes 2
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 6 No 2
Fecal Coliform Microbiological 4 No 2
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 4 No 2
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 4 No 2
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 2 No 2
Chlorite Disinfection Byproducts 2 No 2
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 2 No 2
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 2 No 2

Most Recent Violations

  • Violation in ZIP 60631 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 60631 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 60631 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 60631 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 60631 (Unknown date) — Unresolved

Is the Water Safe at Pennoyer School District 79 Schools?

Several factors warrant attention for families in the Pennoyer School District 79 area:

  • Water systems in this district have recorded 2 health-based violations. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose health risks.
  • 85.7% of buildings in this district predate 1986, increasing the risk of lead in school plumbing.
  • 10 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

  1. Request your school's water testing results. Under the EPA's 3Ts program, schools are encouraged to test drinking water. Ask the Pennoyer School District 79 school board for the most recent results.
  2. 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

  1. Attend school board meetings and ask about the district's water quality testing schedule and remediation plans.
  2. Request lead fixture replacement if your child's school was built before 1986 and hasn't upgraded its plumbing.
  3. Contact your water utility about the 10 unresolved violations in the district. Ask for a timeline for resolution.

Resources

ZIP Code Reports for This District

What Parents Can Do

  1. 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.
  2. Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) - Your water utility publishes this annually. It details all detected contaminants.
  3. 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.
  4. 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).
  5. 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 Filter

Free 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 Pennoyer School District 79 schools?

Water systems serving Pennoyer School District 79 have recorded 2 health-based violations in the past 5 years. 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 Pennoyer School District 79 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

Updated daily.

Home → School Districts → Illinois → Pennoyer School District 79

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Pennoyer School District 79 (IL): 2 Health Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/schools/pennoyer-school-district-79-il/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-schools-pennoyer-school-district-79-il,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Pennoyer School District 79 (IL): 2 Health Violations}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/schools/pennoyer-school-district-79-il/}
}

Data as of July 2026.

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