Chicago water tests reveal concerning levels of lead in residential homes

Results for water tests requested by Chicago residents from March 2016 to mid-year 2021

40 parts per billion

Of the 24,007 tests...

30

About 1,000 detected lead levels above the federal limit of 15ppb; about 250 had levels twice the allowable limit

20

15ppb - EPA limit

About one in three tests had lead levels above the limit for bottled water of 5ppb

10

5ppb - bottled water limit

28% detected

less than 1ppb

0

More lead

detected

Less lead

detected

40 parts per billion

Of the 24,007 tests...

30

About 1,000 detected lead levels above the federal limit of 15ppb; about 250 had levels twice the allowable limit

20

15ppb - EPA limit

About one in three tests had lead levels above the limit for bottled water of 5ppb

10

5ppb - bottled water limit

28% detected

less than 1 ppb

0

More lead detected

Less lead detected

40 parts per billion

Of the 24,007 tests...

30

About 1,000 detected lead levels above the federal limit of 15ppb; about 250 had levels twice the allowable limit

20

15ppb - EPA limit

About one in three tests had lead levels above the limit for bottled water of 5ppb

10

5ppb - bottled water limit

28% of tests detected

less than 1 ppb

0

More lead detected

Less lead detected

40 parts per billion

Of the 24,007 tests...

30

About 1,000 detected lead levels above the federal limit of 15ppb; about 250 had levels twice the allowable limit

20

15ppb - EPA limit

About one in three tests had lead levels above the limit for bottled water of 5ppb

10

5ppb - bottled water limit

28% of tests detected

less than 1 ppb

0

More lead detected

Less lead detected

40 parts per billion

Of the 24,007 tests...

30

About 1,000 detected lead levels above the federal limit of 15ppb; about 250 had levels twice the allowable limit

20

15ppb - EPA limit

About one in three tests had lead levels above the limit for bottled water of 5ppb

10

5ppb - bottled water limit

28% of tests detected

less than 1 ppb

0

More lead detected

Less lead detected