01The verdict: is Hawthorn Woods water safe?
Hawthorn Woods's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (79.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 675 residents using groundwater (wells).
3 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 ↓675 people, 1 system
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓Lead is approaching its limit
Measured at 13.8 ppb — 92% of the 15 ppb limit. Within the rules, but with less headroom than you'd want.
See the ledger ↓Hawthorn Woods's drinking water received a grade of B (79.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 675 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 13.8 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 8 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
Hawthorn Woods ranks #587 out of 882 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it below average in the state. Hawthorn Woods purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Hawthorn Woods may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Hawthorn Woods's water
Every contaminant flagged in Hawthorn Woods, 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.
Near Limit — EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
Within EPA limits but above the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended level of 1 ppb — no lead level is considered safe for children. An NSF 53-certified filter provides additional protection, and running the cold tap 30 seconds after stagnation reduces exposure.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. | 13.8 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Near Limit |
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
03Hawthorn Woods'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 8 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
9 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 6.8 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 14 ppb (2023) — 92% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Hawthorn Woods's water comes from
Hawthorn Woods purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
675 people
Residents served across Hawthorn Woods's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Hawthorn Woods's local distribution pipes and storage facilities. Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 675 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAKE COUNTY PW- HAWTHORN WOODS | IL0970450 | 675 | Purchased Groundwater |
Water bodies near Hawthorn Woods
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Hawthorn Woods'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.
Industrial discharge
5 facilities within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
5 federal disaster declarations on record for Lake County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Superfund proximity
1 National Priorities List site within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
06How Hawthorn Woods compares
Scores for nearby Illinois cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Illinois average (55/100)
Hawthorn Woods scores 79.1/100 — 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 Hawthorn Woods's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 13.8 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Hawthorn Woods 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 Hawthorn Woods, IL tap water safe to drink?
Hawthorn Woods's water quality earned a grade of B (79.1/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #587 out of 882 cities tested in Illinois.
What contaminants are in Hawthorn Woods's water?
Lead was measured at 13.8 ppb (90th percentile). 8 violations are on record.
How is Hawthorn Woods'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 Hawthorn Woods?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Hawthorn Woods's water come from?
Hawthorn Woods's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 675 residents.
What health violations has Hawthorn Woods's water system had?
Hawthorn Woods has 3 health-based violations 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. 3 violations remain unresolved.
Is Hawthorn Woods's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Hawthorn Woods uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 8 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Hawthorn Woods's water compare to other cities?
Hawthorn Woods ranks #587 out of 882 cities in Illinois (better than 33% of state cities) and #8301 out of 15382 cities nationally (46th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Hawthorn Woods's small water system affect quality?
Hawthorn Woods's system serves approximately 675 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 8 violations on record.