WaterVerge

Is Bedford Park, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A+ with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Bedford Park ranks. What to do next ↓

602 residents served 1 water system PWSID: IL0310120
Overall Score
95.8 / 100
Violations
None active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#10 of 891 in Illinois Top 2% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
95.8/100
waterverge.com
A+ 95.8/100

Bedford Park, IL — Water Quality Report

Bedford Park's drinking water received a grade of A+ (95.8 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 602 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 2 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. All violations have been resolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Bedford Park's water

Bedford Park ranks #10 out of 891 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.

As a small community water system, Bedford Park may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
95.8 out of 100 Grade A+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.8/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Bedford Park, IL water safe to drink?

Generally Safe

Based on EPA testing data, Bedford Park's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (95.8/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 602 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

None
Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
9 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Bedford Park

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Bedford Park's water quality assessment. Grade: A+ (95.8/100).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODNG

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4819). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4749). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Bedford Park's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Bedford Park's water system has 2 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. All violations have been resolved.

MCLMR
Most recent violations:
Oct 1994 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Oct 1994 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Cook County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Des Plaines River, Salt Creek, Addison Creek, Flag Creek, Nb Chicago River.

SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODNG
Flood FEMA DR-4819
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4749
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4116

Where does Bedford Park's water come from?

Bedford Park's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 602 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Des Plaines River (river), Salt Creek (river), Addison Creek (river), Flag Creek (river), Nb Chicago River (river).

What Bedford Park residents can do

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Monitor alerts during storms

Bedford Park's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

2
Total violations
1
Health-based
0
Active / unresolved
Oct 1994
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

2 Total
0 Active
1 Health-based
2 Resolved
Oct 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Oct 1994
Oct 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1994
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Bedford Park

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Bedford Park, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

Total reported releases to surface water: 23 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
ELKAY PLUMBING PRODUCTS CO
Fabricated Metals · ZURN ELKAY WATER SOLUTIONS CORP
BROADVIEW, IL60155
Chromium167.3 mi
SIGNODE INDUSTRIAL GROUP LLC
Fabricated Metals · CROWN HOLDINGS INC
BRIDGEVIEW, IL60455
Lead And Lead Compounds72.1 mi
NORTHFIELD FOREST VIEW
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · CRH AMERICAS INC
BERWYN, IL60402
Lead02.7 mi
BORGWARNER TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
Transportation Equipment · BORGWARNER INC
BELLWOOD, IL60104
9.2 mi
DELTROL FLUID PRODUCTS
Fabricated Metals · NA
BELLWOOD, IL60104
9.8 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of Bedford Park

Superfund sites nearby

Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.

Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

9
Declared disasters
Sep 2024
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Cook County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2024
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODNG
Flood FEMA #4819
Nov 2023
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4749
May 2013
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4116
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3230
Jul 1993
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #997
Aug 1987
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #798

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 11.0 ppb from 1993 (11.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Bedford Park compares by contaminant

Explore where Bedford Park ranks among all Illinois cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
602
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Bedford Park's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Bedford Park's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 602 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Bedford Park

Bedford Park is located near 5 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.

Des Plaines River
river
Salt Creek
river
Addison Creek
river
Flag Creek
river
Nb Chicago River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Bedford Park

System Name PWSID Population Source
BEDFORD PARK IL0310120 602 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Bedford Park compares

Full Illinois rankings →

Bedford Park's score of 95.8/100 is above the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Bedford Park (this city)
95.8
Chicago
35.2
Aurora
45.5
Joliet
38.5
Naperville
81.2
Champaign
91.9
Illinois avg
56
City Profile

About Bedford Park, IL

Wikipedia →

Bedford Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States, and is an industrial suburb of Chicago. The population was 602 at the 2020 census. Bedford Park consists of a small residential area and vast amounts of heavy industry sprawling to the east and a small amount to the west.

Economic Profile
$107,396
Median Income
$256,308
Median Home Value
$1,771/mo
Median Rent
5.2%
Unemployment
Community
40.6
Median Age
40
People / sq mi
30.7%
College Educated
83.1%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Bedford Park, IL tap water safe to drink?

Bedford Park's water quality earned a grade of A+ (95.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #10 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.

What contaminants are in Bedford Park's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 2 violations are on record.

How is Bedford Park's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Bedford Park?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Bedford Park's water come from?

Bedford Park's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 602 residents.

What health violations has Bedford Park's water system had?

Bedford Park has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 1994. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.

How does Bedford Park's water compare to other cities?

Bedford Park ranks #10 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 99% of state cities) and #276 out of 15744 cities nationally (98th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Bedford Park's small water system affect quality?

Bedford Park's system serves approximately 602 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 2 violations on record.