NORTH CHICAGO, Illinois Tap Water Quality

16,813 people served · 1 water system

Failing

NORTH CHICAGO, Illinois is a small city with 16,813 residents served by a single public water system. Water service covers ZIP code 60064.

NORTH CHICAGO has accumulated a significant number of EPA health-based violations. Reviewing the contaminants involved, requesting your utility's Consumer Confidence Report, and using certified point-of-use filtration is strongly advisable.

EPA reporting identifies Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and Atrazine among the regulated contaminants associated with NORTH CHICAGO's recent health-based violations. Each contaminant has different sources, health implications, and recommended mitigation steps — links to the full EPA reference for each are listed alongside the violation history below.

Last updated: 2026-05-18 · Source: EPA SDWIS

Location

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Centered on ZIP-code centroids of water systems serving this city.

ZIP Codes Served

60064

Health-Based Violations (Last 5 Years)

EPA Maximum Contaminant Level exceedances reported by water systems serving NORTH CHICAGO. Each entry explains the contaminant, the health risk, and recommended precautions, and links to a full guide.

Atrazinechemical

EPA Code 2039 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

0.003 mg/L

Last Reading

8 UG/L

First Reported

Apr 2024

Most Recent

Apr 2024

What this violation means

Atrazine is one of the most widely used herbicides in US agriculture, primarily on corn and sorghum. Spring runoff from farm fields creates seasonal spikes in atrazine levels in surface water sources across the Midwest. Long-term exposure is linked to hormone disruption and reproductive effects.

Recommended precautions

→Granular activated carbon removes atrazine — most carbon filters work.
→Reverse osmosis provides additional protection.
→Atrazine spikes are seasonal — utilities monitor quarterly averages, but acute exposure can occur in spring.

Read the complete guide to Atrazine

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)disinfectant

EPA Code 2950 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

0.08 mg/L

Last Reading

.083 MG/L

First Reported

Apr 2023

Most Recent

Apr 2023

What this violation means

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) form when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter — leaves, soil, algae — in source water. They are among the most commonly reported violations because utilities pulling from surface water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) struggle to balance disinfection with byproduct formation. Long-term exposure has been linked to bladder cancer and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Recommended precautions

→Activated carbon filters (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) effectively reduce TTHMs.
→Letting water sit uncovered allows TTHMs to off-gas — leave a pitcher in the fridge for several hours.
→Shower with the bathroom fan on; TTHMs can volatilize into the air during hot showers.
→Boiling reduces TTHMs through volatilization, but only after extended boiling.

Read the complete guide to Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Health-based violations only. Older violations may have been resolved; check your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report for current status.

Water Systems Serving NORTH CHICAGO

NORTH CHICAGO

PWSID: IL0971250

16,813 served

12 violations

What Can You Do?

✅ Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — required by law.
✅ Use an NSF-certified water filter if violations involve lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
✅ Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing (reduces lead).
✅ Check back monthly — we update data from the EPA every 30 days.

About this data

This overview reflects EPA SDWIS data published as of 2026-05-18. It covers active Community Water Systems (CWS) that exceeded federal Maximum Contaminant Levels during the past five-year EPA reporting window. For up-to-the-minute information, request a current Consumer Confidence Report from your utility, or review the EPA's public dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NORTH CHICAGO, Illinois tap water safe to drink?▼

This city's water had numerous EPA violations in the last 5 years. Consider filtered water.

How many EPA violations does NORTH CHICAGO have?▼

NORTH CHICAGO has 12 EPA health-based water violations in the last 5 years across 1 water system serving 16,813 people.

What contaminants have been found in NORTH CHICAGO water?▼

The following EPA-regulated contaminants have been detected: 2950, 2039. View details about each contaminant, health effects, and recommended precautions above in the violations table.

Should I use a water filter in NORTH CHICAGO?▼

Using an NSF-certified water filter is recommended if your area has violations involving lead, arsenic, or PFAS. For other contaminants, consult your local water utility. Check the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for detailed guidance.

What should I do if there are violations in NORTH CHICAGO?▼

Request your water utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which is required by the EPA. Follow the utility's guidance on boil water advisories. Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing. Use an NSF-certified filter if needed based on your water system's violations.