Fox Lake
EPA ID: IL0970200 · 11,780 people served · 3 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Fox Lake (IL0970200): 1 unresolved EPA violation on record. Looking at the EPA enforcement file for Fox Lake, 1 violation is listed as unresolved - those findings cover the utility's service area of approximately 11,780 people and remain open in the federal compliance system, awaiting formal corrective action documentation.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Fox Lake Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary - Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Fox Lake serves a community with a median household income of $91,569 and an estimated 28,883 residents across its service area. Approximately 53% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Fox Lake's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Fox Lake compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Mercury at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.002 mg/L. Kidney damage, neurological impairment. Consider activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Cadmium at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.005 mg/L. Kidney damage accumulating over lifetime; probable carcinogen. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Selenium at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.05 mg/L. Hair & nail loss, nerve damage, liver & kidney damage. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Chromium at 1 mg/L (total chromium; California Cr-6 MCL = 0.010 mg/L) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.1 mg/L (total chromium; California Cr-6 MCL = 0.010 mg/L). Stomach & intestinal cancer (known carcinogen). Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 6 detections recorded. 3 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).
Mercury was detected in this water system. activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Illinois
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Fox Lake (EPA ID: IL0970200) is a community water system in Illinois that serves approximately 11,780 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.
ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: C (56/100)
This is the average Home Safety Score for 2 of 3 service-area ZIP codes with all required score domains observed. It is not a grade for the water utility.
Model 4.0.0 uses SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the UCMR 5 PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AirData AQI across three equally weighted domains. Missing required evidence suppresses the score.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 0 resolved, 16 archived, 0 addressed, and 1 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Non-health-based | Unaddressed (current) |
| January 1, 2023 | Nitrite | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Mercury | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 1045 | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 1085 | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Chromium | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Barium | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 1075 | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Selenium | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Cadmium | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Nickel | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 1036 | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Fluoride | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2959 | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2036 | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2306 | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2046 | Non-health-based | Archived |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Cadmium | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Chromium | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Fluoride | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Selenium | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Nitrite | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 1036 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 1045 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Mercury | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 1075 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 1085 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 2036 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 2046 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 2306 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0061 mg/L | No | N/A |
The accepted LCR snapshot contains 1 reported copper action-level exceedance record for this PWSID. The source does not provide a verified copper level for publication.
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your 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.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by IL or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Fox Lake (IL0970200) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fox Lake water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows 1 current noncompliance record and zero current records classified as health-based. That classification is not a property-specific water test or safety guarantee.
How many people does Fox Lake serve?
Fox Lake serves approximately 11,780 people across 3 ZIP codes in Illinois.
Where does Fox Lake get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Fox Lake (IL): 17 EPA Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/il0970200/
@misc{zipcheckup-water-system-il0970200,
author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Fox Lake (IL): 17 EPA Violations}},
year = {n.d.},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/il0970200/}
}
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Fox Lake (EPA ID: IL0970200) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.