Elgin, IL: Lead Above EPA Limits — 34/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Systems across Elgin show elevated violation counts against IL benchmarks — the low safety grade reflects that ongoing compliance pattern.
How Elgin Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Elgin Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 56 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0511 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 52% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $4,045 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.61.
Water Systems Serving Elgin
Residential addresses in Elgin, IL are served by 3 primary water providers out of 10 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Elgin, Illinois (population ~123,995), covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 290,460 people region-wide.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Elgin: F (34/100)
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
Elgin water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0511 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 4 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 4 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 | 15 | 4 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 4 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 4 |
| Contaminant 2031 | Other | 5 | 4 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60120 | F | 14 | 1 | Elgin |
| 60121 | F | 14 | 1 | Elgin |
| 60123 | F | 14 | 1 | Elgin |
| 60124 | D | 14 | 1 | Elgin |
All ZIP Codes in Elgin
- 60120 [F] — 14 violations ⚠
- 60121 [F] — 14 violations ⚠
- 60123 [F] — 14 violations ⚠
- 60124 [D] — 14 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.
CDC Health Data for Elgin
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 Elgin
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Elgin's Housing Stock?
With 52% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Elgin, the median build year of 1981 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Elgin 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.
Elgin: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Is remediation financially manageable for Elgin homeowners? At a moderate equity share, generally yes — with deliberate budgeting ahead of time.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Elgin. The estimated $2,355–$6,110 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 32% above the Illinois average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Elgin
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.
Throughout the multi-year monitoring window under Lead and Copper Rule sampling, citywide samples for Elgin have moved past the regulatory action mark, and 52% of local stock comes from the pre-rule era. Both the housing inventory and the system data support active household-level reads as a practical step.
<strong>4 ZIP codes</strong> (100% of the city) exceed the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Elgin
Flood activity in Elgin is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 165-claim record and 75% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Elgin has a moderate flood history with 165 FEMA claims averaging $9,336 per payout. 75% 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>$4,045</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 Elgin
- 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 Stage 2 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Elgin's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 52% 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 Elgin, IL