Is Chicago tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

Chicago's water meets EPA minimum standards but has some concerns. Filtration is recommended for sensitive individuals.

79/100
Purity Score
3
Issues Found
8.4 GPG
Hardness
Not detected
PFAS

3 Issues Detected in Chicago

Moderately Hard Water (8.4 GPG)

Hardness above 7 GPG can cause minor scale buildup.

Hardness data for Chicago

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Chicago

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.4 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Chicago
Illinois

606,016,060,260,603 · Lake Michigan

Chicago, IL Water Quality Report

Moderate Risk Updated March 2026 2.7M residents
See Best Filters for Chicago
79
Purity Score

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
ND
Lead
8 ppb
Nitrate
0.7 mg/L
Arsenic
0.4 mg/L
Hardness
8.4 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    At 8.4 GPG, Chicago's water qualifies as moderately hard. This can cause limescale in pipes and shorten appliance lifespan.
  • 2
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Chicago's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

79 /100
Good
"Good" threshold (70)

Chicago tap water is sourced from Lake Michigan and treated by Chicago Department of Water Management. Water hardness is hard at 8.4 GPG which may cause scale buildup. Overall purity score: 79/100 (Good). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Chicago's 3 issues.

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Chicago Water FAQ

Is Chicago IL tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Chicago tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 79/100 (Good) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Chicago IL use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Chicago uses chlorine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.8 ppm. Standard activated carbon filters including pitcher filters are effective at removing free chlorine taste and odor.
How hard is Chicago IL water and what is the TDS level?
Chicago water hardness is 8.4 grains per gallon (hard) with a TDS of 210 ppm (fair). This level causes noticeable scale buildup in water heaters kettles and dishwashers. A water softener is recommended to protect plumbing and reduce soap usage.
Has PFAS been found in Chicago IL drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Chicago drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Chicago?
Based on Chicago's water profile, we recommend the AFWFilters 5600sxt 48000 Grain Softener. Chicago has elevated chlorine residuals. An under-sink carbon filter removes chlorine and disinfection byproducts at the tap.

Nearby Reports

RockfordIllinois — 58/100ChampaignIllinois — 73/100ElginIllinois — 75/100AuroraIllinois — 79/100NapervilleIllinois — 79/100PeoriaIllinois — 79/100

All Illinois cities

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • Chicago Department of Water Management CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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