WaterQ
Illinois State Report All States
Official Status: March 2026

Is North Chicago tap water safe to drink?

⚠ Caution Advised
D

Use extra caution — North Chicago scores 43/100.

Safety Score
43
out of 100

Still not sure if you need a filter in North Chicago?

Read Decision Guide →

North Chicago

Illinois

View Illinois state report Data updated: Mar 2026

Is North Chicago tap water safe to drink?

Use extra caution — North Chicago scores 43/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 2 local systems in North Chicago. We found 263 total violations (35 unresolved).

Real-Time Environment

Live: 06:00 PM
0mm Precipitation

☀️ No active precipitation. Rainfall can impact surface water turbidity and pollutant runoff in North Chicago.

Water Quality Impact

✅ Minimal Impact Localized weather conditions may influence test result variability.

🛡️ Home Water Treatment Needs

Should you invest in filtration or softening for your home in North Chicago?

Requirement Status
Recommended
🟡
💡

Expert Advice

Given the safety margin, a Carbon Block or sediment filter is recommended to improve taste and remove trace particulates.

Buying a Filter?

Should you buy a water purifier in North Chicago? See our analysis.

Baby Formula Safety

Is North Chicago tap water safe for infants? Critical safety guide.

Homebuyer's Perspective

For those looking to relocate to North Chicago, water quality is a key factor in long-term property maintenance. With a score of 43/100, we recommend budgeting for high-quality point-of-entry filtration systems to protect your home's value.

Property Impact: Requires Mitigation

Health & Family Safety

Residents should monitor Lead (90th percentile) levels. Pregnant women and families with young children should consult the specific EPA health goals listed below.

View Health Risk Glossary →

Compliance Record for North Chicago

263
Violations (5yr)
35
Unresolved
1
Contaminants Tracked
0
Exceeding EPA Limit

Based on EPA SDWIS violation records and contaminant test results for all water systems serving North Chicago.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Chicago tap water safe to drink?

Use extra caution — North Chicago scores 43/100.

How many water systems serve North Chicago?

North Chicago is served by 2 public water systems in our latest EPA-backed dataset.

How can I check water quality for my exact address in North Chicago?

Use the WaterQ search tool to look up your ZIP code and view nearby systems, contaminant levels, and recent violations for North Chicago.

What is the water quality score for North Chicago?

The water quality score for North Chicago is 43 out of 100, based on EPA contaminant data, violation history, and testing results across the 2 systems serving the city.

What are the top contaminants in North Chicago?

The top contaminants detected in North Chicago include Lead (90th percentile). View detailed information on our contaminants page.

Water Quality Score
43/100
Grade
F
Water Systems
2
Population
28,913

North Chicago Water Quality Summary

North Chicago, IL receives a water quality score of 43/100 (Grade F) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 2 public water systems serving the area.

North Chicago's water quality score is below the national average, indicating a history of EPA violations or elevated contaminant levels. Residents are encouraged to check their specific water system report and consider additional filtration.

North Chicago's score of 43 is 23 points below the Illinois state average of 66, and below the nationwide average of roughly 78/100 across all U.S. states.

Water quality data is sourced from the U.S. EPA SDWIS database and updated quarterly. Learn about our scoring methodology → Read our Illinois water quality rankings report →

Key Contaminants

Lead (90th percentile)
0.0027 / 0.015 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 0.015 mg/L

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Water Systems Serving North Chicago (2)

Related

Compare North Chicago water quality: View all states · Contaminant library · How we score water quality