WaterVerge

Is Sleepy Hollow, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 4 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

3K residents served 1 water system PWSID: IL0890750
Overall Score
89.9 / 100
Violations
4 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#157 of 891 in Illinois Top 16% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
89.9/100
waterverge.com
A- 89.9/100

Sleepy Hollow, IL — Water Quality Report

Sleepy Hollow's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,100 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 1.8 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 16 violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Sleepy Hollow's water

Sleepy Hollow ranks #157 out of 891 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it above 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.

Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.51 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
89.9 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
43.2/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.8 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17.7/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Sleepy Hollow, IL water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Sleepy Hollow's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (89.9/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,100 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

4
Active Violations
1.8 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
5 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Sleepy Hollow

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Sleepy Hollow's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (89.9/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4116). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3230). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

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

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

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

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Sleepy Hollow's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.8 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Sleepy Hollow's water system has 16 total violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.

OtherMCLMR
Most recent violations:
Jul 2019 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Sep 2004 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Sep 2001 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Nov 1998 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Oct 1996 Lead and Copper Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Kane County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1973. 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 Flint Creek, Fox River, Fox River (Tailwater), Tyler Creek, Poplar Creek.

SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4116
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3230
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-776

Where does Sleepy Hollow's water come from?

Sleepy Hollow's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 3,100 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Flint Creek (river), Fox River (river), Fox River (Tailwater) (river), Tyler Creek (river), Poplar Creek (river).

What Sleepy Hollow residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Sleepy Hollow's water.

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

Sleepy Hollow'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
1.8 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 12% of limit
Safe Level
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent Chromium)
Inorganic
Detected
0.51 µg/L
CA MCL (no federal MCL): 10 µg/L · 5% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Strontium
Inorganic
Detected
384.4 µg/L
EPA Health Ref Level: 1,500 µg/L · 26% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
1,4-Dioxane
Organic
Detected
0.15 µg/L
EPA Health Advisory: 0.35 µg/L · 42% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Vanadium
Inorganic
Detected
0.74 µg/L
EPA Short-term HA: 21 µg/L · 4% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Molybdenum
Inorganic
Detected
1.77 µg/L
EPA Lifetime HA: 40 µg/L · 4% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Compliance Record

Violation summary

16
Total violations
4
Health-based
4
Active / unresolved
Jul 2019
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

16 Total
4 Active
4 Health-based
12 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
12
Lead and Copper Rule
2
Consumer Confidence Rule
1
Jul 2019 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 1996 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 1993 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Sep 2004 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2004
Sep 2001 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2001
Nov 1998 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 1998
Jun 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1996
May 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved May 1996
May 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 1996
Jul 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 1994
Jun 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 1994
Jun 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1994
May 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 1994
Feb 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Feb 1994
Jan 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jan 1994
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Sleepy Hollow

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Sleepy Hollow, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

Total reported releases to surface water: 0 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
OLDCASTLE PRECAST INC
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · CRH AMERICAS INC
ELGIN, IL60120
Lead compounds06.8 mi
AMPAC FLEXIBLES LLC (PREVIOUSLY FLEXICON INC)
Plastics and Rubber · PROAMPAC HOLDINGS INC
CARY, IL60013
8.8 mi
TRUE VALUE MANUFACTURING
Chemicals · TRUE VALUE CO
CARY, IL60013
8.9 mi
DUREX INDUSTRIES
Computers and Electronic Products · CHROMALOX INC
CARY, IL60013
8.6 mi
GROVE PLATING CO INC.
Fabricated Metals · NA
FOX RIVER GROVE, IL60021
8.9 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of Sleepy Hollow

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

5
Declared disasters
May 2013
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Kane County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1973. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

May 2013
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4116
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3230
Oct 1986
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #776
Jun 1974
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #438
Apr 1973
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #373

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.8 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 increased by 1.8 ppb from 1994 (0.0 ppb) to 2025 (1.8 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Sleepy Hollow compares by contaminant

Explore where Sleepy Hollow ranks among all Illinois cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
3,100
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Sleepy Hollow's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Sleepy Hollow'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 3,100 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Sleepy Hollow

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

Flint Creek
river
Fox River
river
Fox River (Tailwater)
river
Tyler Creek
river
Poplar Creek
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Sleepy Hollow

System Name PWSID Population Source
SLEEPY HOLLOW IL0890750 3,100 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Sleepy Hollow compares

Full Illinois rankings →

Sleepy Hollow's score of 89.9/100 is above the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Sleepy Hollow (this city)
89.9
Chicago
35.2
Aurora
45.5
Joliet
38.5
Naperville
81.2
Champaign
91.9
Illinois avg
56
City Profile

About Sleepy Hollow, IL

Wikipedia →

Sleepy Hollow is a village in Kane County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,214 at the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$139,955
Median Income
$352,502
Median Home Value
$1,128/mo
Median Rent
1.9%
Unemployment
Community
48.4
Median Age
617
People / sq mi
44.5%
College Educated
93.1%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Sleepy Hollow, IL tap water safe to drink?

Sleepy Hollow's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #157 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.

What contaminants are in Sleepy Hollow's water?

Lead was measured at 1.8 ppb (90th percentile). 16 violations are on record.

How is Sleepy Hollow'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 Sleepy Hollow?

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

Where does Sleepy Hollow's water come from?

Sleepy Hollow's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 3,100 residents.

What health violations has Sleepy Hollow's water system had?

Sleepy Hollow has 4 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2019. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 4 violations remain unresolved.

How does Sleepy Hollow's water compare to other cities?

Sleepy Hollow ranks #157 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 82% of state cities) and #2503 out of 15744 cities nationally (84th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Sleepy Hollow's small water system affect quality?

Sleepy Hollow's system serves approximately 3,100 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 16 violations on record.