Illinois · population 19,642
Lead pipes in Lake Forest, IL
250 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Most of Lake Forest (population 19,642) gets its water from Lake Forest. That system reported 250 lead and 0 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 6,925, with 31 more of unknown material.
3.6% of Lake Forest's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, lower than the Illinois average (17%) and about the same as the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 3.6%
- Galvanized (replace) 0%
- Unknown 0.4%
- Non-lead 96%
Latest lead test for Lake Forest (Jan 2026–Jun 2026): 21 ppb at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.
Compliance record: EPA lists 1 Lead and Copper Rule violation since 2015 for Lake Forest.
Water systems serving Lake Forest
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake ForestMain system | 250 | 0 | 31 | 3.6% |
| Highland ParkServes nearby areas | 1,740 | 33 | 1 | 17% |
Matched from EPA water system service area boundaries and the cities each system reports serving. Edges of the city may be served by a neighboring system; your water bill names your utility.
Check your address in Lake Forest
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on Lake Forest's official inventory. Utilities had to make these public by October 16, 2024.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test.
Protect your drinking water
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for drinking, cooking and baby formula, and use only cold water.
Choosing a lead-certified filter · Testing your water · Replacement cost
Nearby cities
- Highwood271 lead + galv. lines
- Bannockburn1 lead + galv. lines
- Lincolnshireno lead reported
- Highland Park1,773 lead + galv. lines
- Riverwoodsno lead reported
- Deerfield276 lead + galv. lines
- Green Oaksno lead reported
- Vernon Hillsno lead reported
Check another water system
Questions
Does Lake Forest, IL have lead pipes?
Yes. Lake Forest, which serves Lake Forest, reported 250 lead and 0 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 31 of unknown material.
Who supplies water to Lake Forest?
EPA's service area maps place most of Lake Forest in Lake Forest's service area (PWSID IL0970800). Highland Park also serves parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my Lake Forest home has a lead service line?
Search your address on Lake Forest's service line inventory map. You can also scratch the pipe where water enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and doesn't attract a magnet.
When will lead pipes in Lake Forest be replaced?
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask Lake Forest whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.