Des Plaines, IL: 12 Violations — 70/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 11 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Des Plaines tap water earns a high safety grade — above-average compliance with IL and federal standards.
How Des Plaines Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Des Plaines Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 12 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0003 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 11 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.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Des Plaines, Illinois (population ~89,822), covering 11 community water systems serving approximately 288,563 people region-wide.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Des Plaines: 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
Des Plaines water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0003 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 5 | 4 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 5 | 4 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60016 | C | 3 | 0 | Des Plaines |
| 60017 | B | 3 | 0 | Des Plaines |
| 60018 | C | 3 | 0 | Des Plaines |
| 60019 | B | 3 | 0 | 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
Updated daily.
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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Des Plaines
Unlike communities where NFIP data shows minimal flood history, Des Plaines's record documents 1817 claims and 50% of ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — a combination that moves flood-related water quality risk from the background into the foreground of any complete local water assessment. Flooding can overwhelm treatment capacity, contaminate wells, and trigger distribution backflow; at this level of exposure, those mechanisms have likely been activated during significant flood events.
Des Plaines has a significant flood history with 1,817 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $23,458 per claim. With 50% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$1,600</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Des Plaines, IL