Lake Forest, IL · PWSID IL0970800
Lake Forest lead service lines
250 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Lake Forest reported 250 lead and 0 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 6,925 in its inventory. That's about 1 in 28 lines. Another 31 (0.4%) are still listed as unknown material.
Ranks #142 of 397 Illinois systems with confirmed lead lines, and #1,087 nationally.
3.6% of Lake Forest's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement. That's 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%
Total service lines reported: 6,925. Reported all required service line types. Population served: 19,642; 6,925 connections.
Lead test results
Lake Forest's most recent 90th-percentile lead result (Jan 2026–Jun 2026) was 21 ppb, above the 15 ppb federal action level. This means 90% of homes sampled were at or below that level; individual homes, especially those with lead lines, can be higher.
Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported to EPA, in parts per billion. Dashed lines: 15 ppb action level and the 10 ppb level from November 1, 2027.
Progress since 2025 Q1
Reported lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines went from 274 in 2025 Q1 to 250 in 2026 Q3: down 24 (8.8%). Lines of unknown material went from 38 to 31, down 7 (18%).
Quarterly counts reported to EPA. A drop usually means lines were replaced or confirmed non-lead; a rise usually means more lines were identified. Replacement progress rankings.
Lead rule violations
EPA's data lists 1 Lead and Copper Rule violation since 2015 for Lake Forest. Health-based violations are treatment failures, such as corrosion control or public education; the rest are missed monitoring or reporting.
| Began | Violation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2023 | Missed follow-up or routine lead and copper tap sampling | Returned to compliance |
Source: EPA SDWIS violation records for the Lead and Copper Rule.
Where the water comes from
Lake Forest's main water source is surface water (rivers, lakes or reservoirs). It buys treated water from Highland Park. The seller treats the water, including corrosion control that keeps lead from dissolving out of pipes, while Lake Forest is responsible for its own service line inventory and replacement program. It sells water to 3 other water systems: Bannockburn, Highland Park, Lake Bluff.
Source: EPA SDWIS water system and facility records.
Check your own address
These counts cover the whole system. To see whether your line is lead, use the utility's address-level inventory. Utilities had to prepare one by October 16, 2024 and make it publicly accessible; systems serving more than 50,000 people must post it online.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test on the pipe where water enters your home.
Protect your drinking water now
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, filter water for drinking, cooking and baby formula. Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead. Run cold water for a few minutes after it sits for hours, and never use hot tap water for cooking.
How to pick a lead-certified filter · How to test your water for lead
Getting the line 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 it replaces the private side for free or with a cost share before you hire anyone. If you want it done sooner, or your utility doesn't cover your side, a licensed plumber can quote it. What replacement costs.
County pages: Lead pipes in Lake County
Cities served
ZIP codes served
ZIP codes whose center falls inside Lake Forest's mapped service area (EPA service area boundaries). Neighboring utilities may serve parts of the same ZIP.
60045
Other water systems nearby
| System | Lead + galv. | Unknown |
|---|---|---|
| Waukegan | 7,322 | 686 |
| Highland Park | 1,773 | 1 |
| Libertyville | 310 | 575 |
| Deerfield | 276 | 1,396 |
| North Chicago | 849 | 4,804 |
| Antioch | 1,910 | 0 |
| Barrington | 432 | 0 |
| Highwood | 271 | 9 |
Check another water system
Questions
Does Lake Forest have lead pipes?
Yes. Lake Forest reported 250 lead service lines and 0 galvanized lines that must be replaced, out of 6,925 total. 31 more are of unknown material.
How do I check if my home's service line is lead?
Look up your address on Lake Forest's official service line inventory, which utilities must make publicly available. You can also scratch the pipe where it enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and does not attract a magnet.
When will Lake Forest replace lead service lines?
Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, most systems must replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037, starting from November 1, 2027. The rule is being challenged in court, so dates could change. Many utilities run free or cost-share programs now.
Has Lake Forest had lead violations?
EPA's data shows 1 Lead and Copper Rule violation since 2015 for Lake Forest.
Which water filters remove lead?
Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction, or NSF/ANSI 58 for reverse osmosis. Check the certification on NSF's listings, not just the box.
Embed or cite this data
Local news sites, blogs and community groups can embed this card. It updates when EPA releases new data.
Citation: Lead Pipe Map, "Lake Forest lead service lines," https://leadpipemap.com/il/lake-forest/. Source: EPA SDWIS service line inventory, 2026 Q3. Download the full dataset on the data page.