01The verdict: is East Chicago Heights water safe?
East Chicago Heights's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (74.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,813 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
22 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 1.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓5 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓East Chicago Heights's drinking water received a grade of B- (74.5 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,813 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 171 violations on record, including 19 health-based violations. 22 remain unresolved.
East Chicago Heights ranks #679 out of 882 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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, East Chicago Heights may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in East Chicago Heights's water
Every contaminant flagged in East Chicago Heights, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 1.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Illinois
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Illinois
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03East Chicago Heights's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 171 violations on record, including 19 health-based violations. 22 remain unresolved.
6 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 1.0 ppb since 1992. Latest reading: 1.0 ppb (2023) — 7% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where East Chicago Heights's water comes from
East Chicago Heights's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
1,813 people
Residents served across East Chicago Heights's service area.
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 1,813 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FORD HEIGHTS | IL0310720 | 1,813 | Purchased Surface Water |
Water bodies near East Chicago Heights
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence East Chicago Heights's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on East Chicago Heights's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
9 federal disaster declarations on record for Cook County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How East Chicago Heights compares
Scores for nearby Illinois cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Illinois average (55/100)
East Chicago Heights scores 74.5/100 — above the Illinois average of 55/100. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities. Full Illinois rankings →
35.2 / 100DAurora, IL
45.5 / 100FJoliet, IL
38.5 / 100BNaperville, IL
81.2 / 100FRockford, IL
38.4 / 100FKankakee, IL
42.6 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in East Chicago Heights's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
East Chicago Heights's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for East Chicago Heights alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is East Chicago Heights, IL tap water safe to drink?
East Chicago Heights's water quality earned a grade of B- (74.5/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #679 out of 882 cities tested in Illinois.
What contaminants are in East Chicago Heights's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 171 violations are on record.
How is East Chicago Heights'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 East Chicago Heights?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does East Chicago Heights's water come from?
East Chicago Heights's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,813 residents.
What health violations has East Chicago Heights's water system had?
East Chicago Heights has 19 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 22 violations remain unresolved.
How does East Chicago Heights's water compare to other cities?
East Chicago Heights ranks #679 out of 882 cities in Illinois (better than 23% of state cities) and #9716 out of 15382 cities nationally (37th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does East Chicago Heights's small water system affect quality?
East Chicago Heights's system serves approximately 1,813 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 171 violations on record.