Illinois · population 30,639
Lead pipes in North Chicago, IL
849 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Most of North Chicago (population 30,639) gets its water from North Chicago. That system reported 849 lead and 0 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 5,653, with 4,804 more of unknown material.
15% of North Chicago's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, about the same as the Illinois average (17%) and higher than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 15%
- Galvanized (replace) 0%
- Unknown 85%
- Non-lead 0%
Latest lead test for North Chicago (Jan 2026–Jun 2026): 3.6 ppb at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.
Compliance record: EPA lists 2 Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015 for North Chicago.
Water systems serving North Chicago
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North ChicagoMain system | 849 | 0 | 4,804 | 15% |
| Great Lakes Naval Training StationAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| WaukeganServes nearby areas | 7,260 | 62 | 686 | 35% |
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 North Chicago
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on North Chicago'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
- Green Oaksno lead reported
- Parkno lead reported
- Waukegan7,322 lead + galv. lines
- Gurneeno lead reported
- Lake Forest250 lead + galv. lines
- Libertyville310 lead + galv. lines
- Vernon Hillsno lead reported
- Highwood271 lead + galv. lines
Check another water system
Questions
Does North Chicago, IL have lead pipes?
Yes. North Chicago, which serves North Chicago, reported 849 lead and 0 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 4,804 of unknown material.
Who supplies water to North Chicago?
EPA's service area maps place most of North Chicago in North Chicago's service area (PWSID IL0971250). Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Waukegan also serve parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my North Chicago home has a lead service line?
Search your address on North Chicago'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 North Chicago 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 North Chicago whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.