Champaign, IL: 12 Violations — 62/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to top-scoring cities in IL, Champaign lands in the middle tier — some water systems meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and performance can vary significantly across service areas.
How Champaign Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Champaign, IL
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Champaign score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Champaign Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 12 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.82.
Who Supplies Your Water in Champaign
At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of Champaign, IL's residential water connections out of 5 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Champaign, Illinois (population ~95,565), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 175,560 people region-wide.
6 of 6 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Champaign: 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
Champaign water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 6 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 7 | 6 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 7 | 6 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61820 | C | 2 | 0 | Il American-champaign |
| 61821 | C | 2 | 0 | Il American-champaign |
| 61822 | C | 2 | 0 | Il American-champaign |
| 61824 | C | 2 | 0 | Il American-champaign |
| 61825 | C | 2 | 0 | Il American-champaign |
| 61826 | C | 2 | 0 | Il American-champaign |
All ZIP Codes in Champaign
- 61820 [C] — 2 violations
- 61821 [C] — 2 violations
- 61822 [C] — 2 violations
- 61824 [C] — 2 violations
- 61825 [C] — 2 violations
- 61826 [C] — 2 violations
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.
Health Outcomes in Champaign
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
Top Contaminants in Champaign Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Champaign Homeowners
Property equity in Champaign sits at a moderate ratio to estimated remediation costs — a classification that reframes the household financial perspective from routine maintenance to deliberate budgeting, where most homeowners have a realistic path to addressing documented water and safety issues if they map the financial commitment against available resources before committing to scope.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Champaign. The estimated $1,200–$2,400 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 4% below the Illinois average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Champaign
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.
Lead risk in Champaign appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Champaign
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Champaign, that record documents 120 claims and 50% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.
Champaign has a moderate flood history with 120 FEMA claims averaging $4,556 per payout. 50% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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>$1,800</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Champaign
- 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 Stage 2 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Champaign's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Champaign, IL