Cerro Gordo, IL: 1 Violation — 62/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Although much of Cerro Gordo meets baseline drinking water standards, some IL-tracked service areas show violations that merit a closer look — particularly for older housing stock.
How Cerro Gordo Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Cerro Gordo Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 94% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.83 — above typical levels.
Cerro Gordo's Water Providers
Throughout Cerro Gordo, IL, water comes from one of 2 primary utilities out of 2 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cerro Gordo, Illinois (population ~1,608), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 9,283 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cerro Gordo: C (62/100)
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
Cerro Gordo water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Cerro Gordo
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61818 | C | 1 | 0 | Long Creek Township Public Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Cerro Gordo
- 61818 [C] — 1 violation
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.
Cerro Gordo Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Cerro Gordo's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cerro Gordo Infrastructure Age
With 94% 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 Cerro Gordo — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1952 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Cerro Gordo 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Cerro Gordo
Given current Cerro Gordo property values, the remediation-to-equity ratio falls in the elevated tier — deliberate financial planning is a meaningful factor in how homeowners approach the documented water and safety issues on record here.
At 2.6% of home value, remediation costs in Cerro Gordo represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,000–$4,000. Home values here are 38% below the Illinois average.
Cerro Gordo: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
94% — that captures the slice of Cerro Gordo housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Cerro Gordo: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
The NFIP's multi-decade dataset for Cerro Gordo shows limited claims and limited zone coverage — a pattern that holds consistent implications for water quality. Flooding disrupts treatment systems and distribution infrastructure in proportion to event frequency, and environments with infrequent flood activity keep those disruption pathways largely dormant.
Cerro Gordo 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>$3,000</strong> remediation cost per household.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Cerro Gordo
- 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. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Cerro Gordo's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 94% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cerro Gordo, IL