Is Highland Park, 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 Highland Park Water System.
Highland Park Water System supplies Highland Park (30,176 people).
Water system
Highland Park Water System
30,176 people · Surface water · EPA ID IL0970500
Buys treated water from Glencoe Water System, Highwood Water System, Northbrook Water System, Lake Forest Water System.
| PFAS | Highest average | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFOS Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| PFNA Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
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: 11 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Near 2027 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.
Highland Park homes and lead pipes
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 Highland Park city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.
How nearby cities compare
| City | PFAS | Lead (90th pct.) |
|---|---|---|
| Northbrook 4 mi Northbrook Water System | None above limits | 11 ppb |
| Wheeling 7 mi Wheeling Water System | None above limits | 1.21 ppb |
| Glenview 7 mi Glenview Water System | None above limits | 10 ppb |
| Buffalo Grove 8 mi Buffalo Grove Water System | None above limits | 1.3 ppb |
| Wilmette 8 mi Wilmette Water System | None above limits | 6 ppb |
| Vernon Hills 8 mi Vernon Hills – Lake County Public Works | None above limits | 0 ppb |
Highland Park ZIP codes (1)
- 60035
Questions
Is Highland Park tap water safe to drink?
Highland Park 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 Highland Park, IL?
Highland Park Water System, which serves 30,176 people.
Does Highland Park tap water have PFAS?
None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Highland Park 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 Highland Park homes have lead pipes?
Census estimates put 69% of Highland Park 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. Highland Park 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.