Tap Water Results

Is North Chicago, 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 Great Lakes Naval Training Station Water System.

2 public water systems serve parts of North Chicago. The largest, Great Lakes Naval Training Station Water System, serves 23,000 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Great Lakes Naval Training Station Water System

23,000 people · Surface water · EPA ID IL0975227

Buys treated water from North Chicago 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 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, 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.

North Chicago homes and lead pipes

62%
of homes built before 1980 (Illinois 64%, US 50%)
25%
built before 1950 (Illinois 26%)
67%
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. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

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

Which system serves your ZIP code

Based on the ZIP codes each system reported serving. Boundaries don't follow ZIP lines exactly, so your water bill is the final word.

SystemZIP codes in North Chicago
Great Lakes Naval Training Station Water System
23,000 people
60088
North Chicago Water System
16,813 people
60064

Other water systems serving North Chicago

  • North Chicago Water System
    16,813 people · Surface water · Illinois · lists this city
    Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) violation

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Waukegan 4 mi
Waukegan Water System
Waukegan Water SystemNone above limits10 ppb
Gurnee 5 mi
Gurnee Water System
Gurnee Water SystemNone above limits0.3 ppb
Vernon Hills 8 mi
Vernon Hills – Lake County Public Works
Vernon Hills – Lake County Public WorksNone above limits0 ppb
Mundelein 8 mi
Mundelein Water System
Mundelein Water SystemNone above limits4.3 ppb
Highland Park 10 mi
Highland Park Water System
Highland Park Water SystemNone above limits11 ppb
Buffalo Grove 12 mi
Buffalo Grove Water System
Buffalo Grove Water SystemNone above limits1.3 ppb

Questions

Is North Chicago tap water safe to drink?

Great Lakes Naval Training Station 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 North Chicago, IL?

2 public water systems serve parts of North Chicago. The largest is Great Lakes Naval Training Station Water System (23,000 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does North Chicago tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Great Lakes Naval Training Station 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 North Chicago homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 62% of North Chicago 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. Great Lakes Naval Training Station 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.