Tap Water Results

Is Oak Forest, 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 Oak Forest Water System. 1 PFAS were detected below the limits.

2 public water systems serve parts of Oak Forest. The largest, Oak Forest Water System, serves 27,478 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Oak Forest Water System

27,478 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID IL0312190

Buys treated water from Oak Lawn Water System, Midlothian 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 (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.

Oak Forest homes and lead pipes

63%
of homes built before 1980 (Illinois 64%, US 50%)
4%
built before 1950 (Illinois 26%)
18%
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 Oak Forest city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Oak Forest

  • Illinois American Water – Homer Township
    24,543 people · Purchased surface water · Illinois · reported ZIPs here
    No PFAS above limits

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Tinley Park 4 mi
Tinley Park Water System
Tinley Park Water SystemNone above limits0 ppb
Orland Park 5 mi
Orland Park Water System
Orland Park Water SystemNone above limits0 ppb
Oak Lawn 7 mi
Oak Lawn Water System
Oak Lawn Water SystemNone above limits9.3 ppb
Chicago Heights 9 mi
Chicago Heights Water System
Chicago Heights Water SystemNone above limits5.86 ppb
Burbank 10 mi
South Stickney Sanitary District
South Stickney Sanitary DistrictNone above limits3.06 ppb
Lansing 11 mi
Lansing Water System
Lansing Water SystemNone above limits5.5 ppb
Oak Forest ZIP codes (1)
  • 60452

Questions

Is Oak Forest tap water safe to drink?

Oak Forest 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 Oak Forest, IL?

2 public water systems serve parts of Oak Forest. The largest is Oak Forest Water System (27,478 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Oak Forest tap water have PFAS?

Oak Forest Water System had 1 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Oak Forest homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 63% of Oak Forest 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. Oak Forest 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.