City Offers Program Where Chicago Residents Can Test Their Own Water for Lead

Chicago residents can now call 3-1-1 and request DIY water testing kit test for lead in their home’s tap water.
The Chicago Department of Water Management will send a kit to residents’ homes. After the resident collects water samples, the water department will have the smaples analyzed at a certified private laboratory.
The results of the tests will be posted on the city’s website and shared with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Public Health.
Chicago treats and distributes Lake Michigan water at the South Water Purification Plant and the Jardine Water Purification Pant, which it claims leaves the plant “virtually lead-free.”
However, some of the service lines that run from the water main to a residence are lead, especially in homes built prior to 1986.  While DWM does take steps to protect water from lead, residents are encouraged to test their water.
The water kits come with easy-to-follow instructions. After samples are collected, the resident calls the 312-742-2406 and the water department will send someone out to pick up the samples. Residents can leave the box inside their entry way or door, and need not be home when the samples are picked up.
If you would prefer to schedule a time for a DWM representative to come to your home to take water samples, an appointment must be scheduled for a time when you are home and you have not used your water for over 6 hours. Appointments can be made by calling 311.
After the water is analyzed and the results returned to the Department of Water Management, residents will be notified of the results within 10 business days from when the results are returned.
If any of your samples are greater than the lead action limit of 15 µg/L, you will also be contacted by phone within two business days after we receive the results from the laboratory.
For more information about the program, visit the Chicago Department of Water Management.