Cambridge, IL: High Radon Risk — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water utilities in Cambridge have maintained a consistent compliance record over recent monitoring periods — the city's above-average grade in IL reflects low violation rates and no systemic health concerns flagged in current data.
How Cambridge Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Cambridge Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0047 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 87% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.54 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Cambridge
Water service in Cambridge, IL is organized around a single utility — one of 1 tracked by regulator, and the one that manages the local distribution network while holding primary responsibility for EPA compliance reporting.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cambridge, Illinois, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,705 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Cambridge — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cambridge: B (70/100)
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
Cambridge water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0047 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61238 | B | Cambridge | 2,086 |
All ZIP Codes in Cambridge
- 61238 [B]
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 Cambridge
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 Cambridge's Housing Stock?
With 87% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Cambridge — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1957 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Cambridge 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.
Cambridge: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The cost-to-value ratio in Cambridge is in the moderate range — neither dismissible nor alarming, but above the threshold where remediation can be treated as incidental. Most homeowners here are weighing a real equity commitment, and the moderate classification reflects that accurately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Cambridge. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 29% below the Illinois average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Cambridge
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Cambridge have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 87% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Cambridge
FEMA-designated flood zones cover a small share of Cambridge's ZIP codes, and NFIP claim volume reflects that limited exposure. Flood-related water quality disruptions — overwhelmed treatment capacity, well contamination, backflow — are infrequent where flood events themselves are rare.
Cambridge has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,400</strong> remediation cost per household.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cambridge, IL