Tap Water Results

Is Vernon Hills, 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 Vernon Hills – Lake County Public Works.

2 public water systems serve parts of Vernon Hills. The largest, Vernon Hills – Lake County Public Works, serves 33,207 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Vernon Hills – Lake County Public Works

33,207 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID IL0971750

Buys treated water from Central Lake County Jawa.

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 2023, 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.

Vernon Hills homes and lead pipes

31%
of homes built before 1980 (Illinois 64%, US 50%)
0%
built before 1950 (Illinois 26%)
33%
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 Vernon Hills village (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Vernon Hills

  • Ciel Senior Living Water System
    225 people · Purchased surface water · Illinois · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Mundelein 3 mi
Mundelein Water System
Mundelein Water SystemNone above limits4.3 ppb
Buffalo Grove 5 mi
Buffalo Grove Water System
Buffalo Grove Water SystemNone above limits1.3 ppb
Wheeling 8 mi
Wheeling Water System
Wheeling Water SystemNone above limits1.21 ppb
North Chicago 8 mi
Great Lakes Naval Training Station Water System
Great Lakes Naval Training Station Water SystemNone above limits0 ppb
Highland Park 8 mi
Highland Park Water System
Highland Park Water SystemNone above limits11 ppb
Palatine 9 mi
Palatine Water System
Palatine Water SystemNone above limits8.9 ppb
Vernon Hills ZIP codes (1)
  • 60061

Questions

Is Vernon Hills tap water safe to drink?

Vernon Hills – Lake County Public Works 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 Vernon Hills, IL?

2 public water systems serve parts of Vernon Hills. The largest is Vernon Hills – Lake County Public Works (33,207 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Vernon Hills tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Vernon Hills – Lake County Public Works 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 Vernon Hills homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 31% of Vernon Hills 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. Vernon Hills – Lake County Public Works'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.