Tap Water Results

Is Gurnee, 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 Gurnee Water System.

2 public water systems serve parts of Gurnee. The largest, Gurnee Water System, serves 30,193 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Gurnee Water System

30,193 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID IL0970350

Buys treated water from Central Lake County Jawa, Waukegan Water System.

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: 0.3 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

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.

Gurnee homes and lead pipes

21%
of homes built before 1980 (Illinois 64%, US 50%)
2%
built before 1950 (Illinois 26%)
24%
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 Gurnee village (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Gurnee

  • Grandwood Park Subdivision – Lake County Public Works
    5,751 people · Purchased surface water · Illinois · reported ZIPs here
    No PFAS above limits

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Waukegan 3 mi
Waukegan Water System
Waukegan Water SystemNone above limits10 ppb
North Chicago 5 mi
Great Lakes Naval Training Station Water System
Great Lakes Naval Training Station Water SystemNone above limits0 ppb
Round Lake Beach 7 mi
Round Lake Beach Water System
Round Lake Beach Water SystemNone above limits4.6 ppb
Mundelein 8 mi
Mundelein Water System
Mundelein Water SystemNone above limits4.3 ppb
Vernon Hills 9 mi
Vernon Hills – Lake County Public Works
Vernon Hills – Lake County Public WorksNone above limits0 ppb
Buffalo Grove 14 mi
Buffalo Grove Water System
Buffalo Grove Water SystemNone above limits1.3 ppb
Gurnee ZIP codes (1)
  • 60031

Questions

Is Gurnee tap water safe to drink?

Gurnee 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 Gurnee, IL?

2 public water systems serve parts of Gurnee. The largest is Gurnee Water System (30,193 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Gurnee tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Gurnee 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 Gurnee homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 21% of Gurnee 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. Gurnee 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.