Is Chicago tap water safe to drink? What are the common contaminants and issues? What’s the best water filter for Chicago?<\/strong><\/p>\n Just like when\u00a0it comes to pizza, Chicagoans are as proud of their tap water as New Yorkers<\/a>. Chicago tap water is generally safe to drink and tastes great. Unfortunately lead is often found and even if it\u2019s usually below regulated levels there is no safe level for children. Therefore it\u2019s recommended to use an affordable faucet filter certified for lead removal such as EcoPro by TAPP Water<\/a>.<\/p>\n The tap water in Chicago comes from Lake Michigan which is one of the largest lakes in the world. Water from Lake Michigan enters the intake crib at depths of 20 to 30 feet.<\/p>\n Both the EPA and the Chicago Department of Water Management stress that Chicago’s water is safe to drink. Most of the year the water tastes great but there may be some seasonalities. While harmless health-wise, algae, in the hotter months, can give the water an unpleasant \u201crotting moss\u201d sort of flavor.<\/p>\n Despite EPAs and CDWMs assurances tests often find lead as well as pesticide and manufacturing residues in it. According to the Chicago Tribune, nine water systems in the Chicago region exceeded EPA standards for lead in 2016. Most of the lead comes from older house and street piping systems.<\/p>\n It was also recently confirmed that 1 out of 5 homes with water meters sampled<\/a> had brain-damaging \u00a0levels of lead in their tap water<\/a>. A new report from September 2022 revealed “shocking levels of toxic lead in Chicago tap water<\/a>“.<\/p>\n EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believe there is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead is harmful to health, especially for children. While paint, dust, and soil are the most common sources of lead, drinking water can contribute 40 to 60 percent of an infant’s lead exposure.<\/p>\n Use the MyTAPP app (iOS and Android) to find refill stations<\/a> around you when on the go.<\/p>\nWhere does Chicago tap water come from?<\/span><\/h1>\n
What is in Chicago tap water and who regulates it?<\/span><\/h1>\n
Drinking water in public places and restaurants<\/span><\/h1>\n
Bottled water<\/span><\/h1>\n