Berwick, IL: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Federal monitoring data for Berwick puts the city in IL's lower safety tier — exceedances show up in multiple utility districts, several systems have met thresholds requiring public notification under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the compliance deficit has persisted across more than one consecutive reporting cycle, with no clear reversal visible in the most recent data available.
How Berwick Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Berwick Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 100% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.63 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Berwick
For most households in Berwick, IL, tap water comes from one provider — the utility that controls the local distribution system out of 1 tracked in federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Berwick, Illinois (population ~176), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,275 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Berwick — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Berwick: D (40/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Berwick water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Berwick
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61417 | D | ABINGDON | 3,275 |
All ZIP Codes in Berwick
- 61417 [D]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Berwick
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
How Old Is Berwick's Housing Stock?
With 100% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Berwick is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1945 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Berwick were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Berwick: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Berwick, the equity share of documented remediation is meaningful enough to move the household financial perspective from routine maintenance into deliberate budgeting territory — the cost-to-value ratio is moderate, and most homeowners benefit from mapping the full scope against available budgets before committing.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Berwick. The estimated $800–$1,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 58% below the Illinois average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Berwick
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 100% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Berwick.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Berwick
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 100% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Berwick, IL