Tap Water Results

Is Des Plaines, IL tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Des Plaines Water System.

4 public water systems serve parts of Des Plaines. The largest, Des Plaines Water System, serves 60,675 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Des Plaines Water System

60,675 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID IL0310630

Buys treated water from Northwest Water Commission, City of Chicago Department of Water Management.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 5.7 ppb at the 90th percentile (Jun 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Des Plaines Water System results

Across Illinois, 13 of 479 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 18 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Illinois results.

Des Plaines homes and lead pipes

71%
of homes built before 1980 (Illinois 64%, US 50%)
15%
built before 1950 (Illinois 26%)
22%
of households rent (Illinois 33%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Des Plaines city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Des Plaines

  • Aqua Illinois-North Maine Utilities
    30,043 people · Purchased surface water · Illinois · reported ZIPs here
    No PFAS above limits
  • Buckhorn Ranch Estates MHP
    702 people · Purchased surface water · Illinois · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Northwest Water Commission
    Wholesale supplier (sells water to other systems) · Purchased surface water · Illinois · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Mount Prospect 3 mi
Mount Prospect Water System
Mount Prospect Water SystemNone above limits2.22 ppb
Park Ridge 3 mi
Park Ridge Water System
Park Ridge Water SystemNone above limits6.79 ppb
Niles 5 mi
Aqua Illinois-North Maine Utilities
Aqua Illinois-North Maine UtilitiesNone above limits1 ppb
Elk Grove Village 5 mi
Elk Grove Village Water System
Elk Grove Village Water SystemNone above limits0 ppb
Glenview 5 mi
Glenview Water System
Glenview Water SystemNone above limits10 ppb
Arlington Heights 6 mi
Arlington Heights Water System
Arlington Heights Water SystemNone above limits7.6 ppb
Des Plaines ZIP codes (2)
  • 60016
  • 60018

Questions

Is Des Plaines tap water safe to drink?

Des Plaines Water System has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Des Plaines, IL?

4 public water systems serve parts of Des Plaines. The largest is Des Plaines Water System (60,675 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Des Plaines tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Des Plaines Water System had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Des Plaines homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 71% of Des Plaines homes as built before 1980 (Illinois: 64%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Des Plaines Water System's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.