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Water Quality Report

Lake Forest, IL

Lake County · 19,817 residents · 3 water systems

9

Contaminants detected

1

PFAS compounds

140

Hardness (mg/L)

2

Above legal limits

2

Above health guidelines

Lake Forest drinking water comes from a mix of groundwater and surface water sources. Based on the most recent monitoring data, 9 contaminants have been detected in the water supply, including Lead, Nitrate, Copper, Total Trihalomethanes, and 5 others. PFAS compounds have been detected at trace levels in Lake Forest water. Water hardness is 140 mg/L (hard), which is within a typical range for the region.

Contaminants detected in Lake Forest water

Detection does not necessarily mean unsafe levels. See individual reports for concentrations and EPA limits.

Lead0.021 / 0.015 mg/L
140% of EPA limit
Nitrate0.4 / 10 mg/L
4% of EPA limit
Copper56 / 1300 ug/L
4% of EPA limit
Total Trihalomethanes46.5 / 80 ug/L
58% of EPA limit
39% of EPA limit
Barium0.021 / 2 mg/L
1% of EPA limit
Fluoride0.652 / 4 mg/L
16% of EPA limit
Toc2.4 mg/L
Unregulated
Orthophosphate180 ug/L
Unregulated
PFAS (1 compounds detected)
Microplastics (not routinely tested)

Other cities in Lake County

Water quality reports for nearby Illinois communities.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Forest, IL tap water safe to drink?
Lake Forest tap water has 2 contaminants currently measured above EPA legal standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels), and 2 above independent health guidelines. 9 contaminants have been detected in the water supply, including Lead, Nitrate, Copper, Total Trihalomethanes, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). View the detailed report for each water system to see specific levels, how they compare to both legal limits and health guidelines, and what actions to take.
What contaminants are in Lake Forest water?
Monitoring has detected 9 contaminants in Lake Forest's water supply: Lead, Nitrate, Copper, Total Trihalomethanes, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Barium, Fluoride, Toc, Orthophosphate. Additionally, 1 PFAS compounds have been detected at trace levels. 2 of these are above EPA legal limits. 2 exceed health guidelines. See individual system reports for concentrations relative to EPA limits.
Does Lake Forest water have PFAS?
Yes. 1 PFAS compounds have been detected in Lake Forest's water supply at trace levels. PFAS are sometimes called "forever chemicals" because they do not break down in the environment. The EPA has set Maximum Contaminant Levels for several PFAS compounds. View the detailed report for specific concentrations.
Is Lake Forest water hard?
Yes. Lake Forest water has a hardness of 140 mg/L (hard). Hard water is not a health concern but can cause scale buildup in water heaters and appliances, reduce soap effectiveness, and leave mineral deposits. Water softeners or conditioning systems can address hardness.
Where does Lake Forest get its drinking water?
Lake Forest's drinking water comes from a combination of groundwater and surface water sources. The water is treated and tested according to Illinois EPA and EPA requirements before distribution. Lake Forest is served by 3 water systems, the largest being LAKE FOREST (serving 19,642 people).

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