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WaterSafeCheck

ZIP Code 60604 Water Quality Report

Chicago, IL · Cook County County

Safety Score
B

Water Safety Grade

Good — Minor issues on record

Health Violations

1

Total Violations

19

Lead Risk

Very High

Contaminants

1

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 60604

Tap water in ZIP code 60604 (Chicago, IL) meets all federal safety standards and earns a solid B grade (score: 71/100). Served by Chicago, the water system has maintained general compliance with EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations, with only minor issues on record.

Water System

Chicago

EPA ID: IL0316000

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

2,746,388 residents

County

Cook County County, Illinois

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Lead Levels in ZIP 60604

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 9.3 ppb — Below Action Level

The 90th percentile lead level in 60604 is 9.3 ppb, below the EPA action level of 15 ppb but above what many health experts consider ideal. The CDC and EPA both affirm there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Families with young children or pregnant women should consider a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter, and request lead testing of their home's tap water.

Lead exposure risk in 60604 is rated Very High. EPA models estimate a 79% probability of lead exposure risk in this ZIP code based on housing age, infrastructure age, and water system data. This is among the highest risk categories nationally, often associated with heavily aging infrastructure and pre-1986 construction. Do not give unfiltered tap water to children under 6 or pregnant women. Consider getting your home's plumbing tested for lead solder and fixtures.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
9.30 ppb (0.0093 mg/L)
Lead (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

7.1 ppb
Copper (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

0.1 ppb
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Very High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

79%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Chicago has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. A single health violation means the water exceeded an EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) at some point. Most water systems resolve these quickly, but residents should review the Consumer Confidence Report for details. 5 violations are currently unresolved — meaning the issue has not yet been formally corrected in EPA records. This is a serious concern that residents should follow up on with their water utility.

Total Violations (5 yr)
19
Health-Based Violations
1
Unresolved Violations
5
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

Regulatory compliance risk is rated Critical — the highest risk category. Chicago has an extensive history of unresolved violations and enforcement actions. Independent water testing is highly recommended.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 1 contaminant associated with health-based violations in ZIP code 60604: Gross Beta. These contaminants exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) established by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act at some point in the 5-year monitoring period. The presence of these violations does not necessarily mean water is currently unsafe — water systems are often required to increase monitoring and treatment when violations occur. Review the annual Consumer Confidence Report for the most current status.

Gross Beta

⚖ Enforcement Actions

10 enforcement actions have been issued against Chicago — a high number that reflects sustained compliance struggles. Enforcement actions escalate from administrative orders to financial penalties when utilities repeatedly fail to meet safe drinking water standards.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
CCR Source Classification
Lake Michigan
EPA Radon Zone

Moderate potential

Zone 2
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$0
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

2.3%

EPA Radon Zone 2 — moderate radon potential. The EPA recommends testing your home regardless of zone designation.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 60604 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from Chicago
  • ✓ If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your own tap for lead
  • ✓ Use a pitcher filter (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) for improved taste

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 60604 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 60604?+
Yes — tap water in 60604 (Chicago, IL) currently meets all federal EPA standards with a water safety grade of B. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years. You can drink your tap water with confidence, though running the tap for 30 seconds in the morning is always a good practice.
What is the lead level in 60604 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 60604 is 9.3 ppb (parts per billion). The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the action level, but some health experts recommend a lead filter for families with young children.
Who provides tap water to 60604?+
Tap water in ZIP code 60604 is provided by Chicago (EPA ID: IL0316000). This system serves approximately 2,746,388 residents. You can contact them directly for Consumer Confidence Reports, current advisories, and billing information.
What is the water source for 60604?+
ZIP code 60604 is served by surface water. Surface water systems draw from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and must meet strict EPA treatment requirements including filtration and disinfection.
Does 60604 have any active water quality violations?+
Yes — there are currently 5 unresolved violations on record for this water system. Unresolved violations indicate issues that have not yet been formally corrected in EPA tracking systems. Contact Chicago for the latest update.
How do I get a copy of my water quality report for 60604?+
Your water utility — Chicago — is required by law to send you an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) by July 1 each year. You can also request it directly from the utility or find it online by searching "Chicago Consumer Confidence Report." The EPA's ECHO database also has historical compliance data.
What water filter should I use in 60604?+
The right filter depends on what contaminants are present. For lead, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53. For chlorine byproducts (like THMs), NSF/ANSI 42 filters work well. For a broad range of contaminants including PFAS, look for NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) systems. For ZIP code 60604, with detected contaminants including Gross Beta, a multi-stage filter or reverse osmosis system is recommended.
Is 60604 tap water safe for babies and infants?+
Infants are especially vulnerable to lead, nitrates, and microbial contaminants in drinking water. Given the detected lead level of 9.3 ppb in 60604, we recommend using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter or certified bottled water for preparing infant formula. Always consult your pediatrician for guidance specific to your child's health.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 60604 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Chicago. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →