Des Plaines, IL: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 59/100
4 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Des Plaines: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Based on current EPA data, Des Plaines, IL reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Des Plaines Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Des Plaines Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 42 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0111 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.18.
Water Systems Serving Des Plaines
Structurally, Des Plaines, IL's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 9 water systems in the area, with 3 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Des Plaines, Illinois (population ~89,822), covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 182,047 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 4 ZIP codes.
2 of 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Des Plaines: C (59/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Des Plaines water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0111 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 17 | 2 |
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 9 | 2 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 2 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 5 | 2 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 5 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60016 | C | 27 | 0 | Des Plaines |
| 60018 | C | 24 | 1 | Des Plaines |
All ZIP Codes in Des Plaines
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Des Plaines
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Des Plaines
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Des Plaines: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Des Plaines, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small - not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Des Plaines are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 64% above the Illinois average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Des Plaines
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 Des Plaines 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.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Des Plaines
Historical NFIP data for Des Plaines contains 1,819 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $23,932. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$1,600</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Des Plaines
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Des Plaines'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 Des Plaines, IL