East Saint Louis, IL Water Safety: 50/100 (2026)
7 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
State safety rankings put East Saint Louis, IL near the lower tier — below-average compliance on record.
How East Saint Louis Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Water Quality Map: East Saint Louis, IL
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for East Saint Louis's 7 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for East Saint Louis Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 80% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,929 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.66 — above typical levels.
East Saint Louis's Water Providers
Water delivery in East Saint Louis, IL is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 7 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 7 ZIP codes in East Saint Louis, Illinois (population ~41,096), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 223,144 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in East Saint Louis — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for East Saint Louis: D (50/100)
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
East Saint Louis water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for East Saint Louis
- 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): 7 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62201 | D | IL AMERICAN-GRANITE CITY | 27,549 |
| 62202 | D | PRAIRIE DUPONT PWD | 1,863 |
| 62203 | D | CASEYVILLE | 13,798 |
| 62204 | D | CASEYVILLE | 13,798 |
| 62205 | D | Il American-east St Louis | 131,368 |
| 62206 | D | Il American-east St Louis | 131,368 |
| 62207 | D | Il American-east St Louis | 131,368 |
All ZIP Codes in East Saint Louis
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.
East Saint Louis 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
East Saint Louis Infrastructure Age
With 80% 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
When a city's housing median build year is 1962, as in East Saint Louis, the implication for water quality research is straightforward: municipal-level data captures what leaves the treatment plant, but household plumbing from before 1986 determines what actually arrives at the tap. In cities where older housing predominates, that gap between system-level and household-level data is widest.
Over half of homes in East Saint Louis 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 East Saint Louis
Across the East Saint Louis housing market, the estimated remediation share sits at an elevated level — the cost-to-value ratio here is high enough that addressing documented water and safety issues becomes a material equity decision rather than routine maintenance, and most homeowners benefit from treating it as a structured financial planning exercise.
At 3.4% of home value, remediation costs in East Saint Louis represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $986–$3,143. Home values here are 70% below the Illinois average.
East Saint Louis: 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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 80% pre-rule share in East Saint Louis keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
East Saint Louis: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood exposure in East Saint Louis is substantial — 868 NFIP claims on record and 86% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated zones. That volume of documented flood activity places water-quality implications of flooding firmly in the active-risk category rather than the hypothetical.
East Saint Louis has a significant flood history with 868 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $3,779 per claim. With 86% 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>$1,929</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 East Saint Louis
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 80% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for East Saint Louis, IL