Illinois · population 11,909
Lead pipes in River Forest, IL
1,845 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Most of River Forest (population 11,909) gets its water from River Grove. That system reported 1,627 lead and 218 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 2,740, with 13 more of unknown material.
67% of River Grove's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, higher than the Illinois average (17%) and higher than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 59%
- Galvanized (replace) 8.0%
- Unknown 0.5%
- Non-lead 32%
Latest lead test for River Grove (Jul 2025–Dec 2025): 6.1 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 River Grove.
Water systems serving River Forest
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| River GroveMain system | 1,627 | 218 | 13 | 67% |
| River ForestAlso serves parts of the city | 770 | 46 | 1,401 | 26% |
| Forest ParkServes nearby areas | 2,548 | 0 | 0 | 75% |
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 River Forest
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on River Grove'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
- Oak Park7,649 lead + galv. lines
- Maywood5,058 lead + galv. lines
- Forest Park2,548 lead + galv. lines
- Elmwood Park5,825 lead + galv. lines
- River Grove1,845 lead + galv. lines
- Melrose Park744 lead + galv. lines
- Bellwood1,257 lead + galv. lines
- Broadview951 lead + galv. lines
Check another water system
Questions
Does River Forest, IL have lead pipes?
Yes. River Grove, which serves River Forest, reported 1,627 lead and 218 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 13 of unknown material.
Who supplies water to River Forest?
EPA's service area maps place most of River Forest in River Grove's service area (PWSID IL0312640). River Forest, Forest Park also serve parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my River Forest home has a lead service line?
Search your address on River Grove'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 River 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 River Grove whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.