Is Garden Homes, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 10 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
82.8/100
waterverge.com Garden Homes, IL — Water Quality Report
Garden Homes's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,472 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.9 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 18 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 10 remain unresolved.
What to know about Garden Homes's water
Garden Homes ranks #473 out of 891 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it below average 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, Garden Homes may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Garden Homes, IL water safe to drink?
Garden Homes's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (82.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,472 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Garden Homes
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Garden Homes's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (82.8/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4819). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4749). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Garden Homes's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Garden Homes's water system has 18 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 10 remain unresolved. 3 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
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 Lake Michigan, Pullman Creek, Chicago S & S Canal, Chicago Sanitary And Ship Canal, Little Calumet River.
Where does Garden Homes's water come from?
Garden Homes's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,472 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Lake Michigan (lake), Pullman Creek (river), Chicago S & S Canal (river), Chicago Sanitary And Ship Canal (river), Little Calumet River (river).
What Garden Homes residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Garden Homes's water.
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.
Garden Homes'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Flood & disaster history
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.
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. | 0.9 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Garden Homes compares by contaminant
Explore where Garden Homes ranks among all Illinois cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Garden Homes's water comes from
Garden Homes'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 1,472 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Garden Homes
Garden Homes is located near 5 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Garden Homes
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GARDEN HOME SD | IL0315620 | 1,472 | SWP |
How Garden Homes compares
Full Illinois rankings →Garden Homes's score of 82.8/100 is above the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Illinois rankings →Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Garden Homes's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Cook
Frequently asked questions
Is Garden Homes, IL tap water safe to drink?
Garden Homes's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #473 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.
What contaminants are in Garden Homes's water?
Lead was measured at 0.9 ppb (90th percentile). 18 violations are on record.
How is Garden Homes'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 Garden Homes?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Garden Homes's water come from?
Garden Homes's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,472 residents.
What health violations has Garden Homes's water system had?
Garden Homes has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 10 violations remain unresolved.
How does Garden Homes's water compare to other cities?
Garden Homes ranks #473 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 47% of state cities) and #6770 out of 15744 cities nationally (57th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Garden Homes's small water system affect quality?
Garden Homes's system serves approximately 1,472 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 18 violations on record.