Fairfield, IL: 6 Health Violations — 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
For households in Fairfield, IL water data shows a consistently above-average safety picture.
How Fairfield Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Fairfield Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 12 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0016 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 72% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.18 — above typical levels.
Fairfield's Water Providers
Federal records list 4 water systems tied to Fairfield, IL. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Fairfield, Illinois, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 7,924 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 6 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Fairfield: B (72/100)
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
Fairfield water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0016 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 12 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2046 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62837 | B | 12 | 6 | Fairfield |
All ZIP Codes in Fairfield
- 62837 [B] — 12 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.
Fairfield 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
What's in Fairfield's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Fairfield Infrastructure Age
With 72% 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
Housing age is one of the most reliable proxies for plumbing-era lead risk, because two federal milestones — the widespread use of lead pipes before 1970 and the continued use of lead solder until 1986 — define the highest-risk tiers of the residential housing stock. With a median build year of 1978, Fairfield falls squarely within the older range — meaning a large fraction of the housing was built under the plumbing standards of those earlier eras. The distribution above captures where that risk concentrates, and why older neighborhoods warrant particular attention from residents concerned about tap water quality.
Over half of homes in Fairfield 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 Fairfield
Given current Fairfield property values, the remediation-to-equity ratio falls in the elevated tier — deliberate financial planning is a meaningful factor in how homeowners approach the documented water and safety issues on record here.
At 2.1% of home value, remediation costs in Fairfield represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,100–$4,100. Home values here are 43% below the Illinois average.
Fairfield: 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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 72% of Fairfield stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Fairfield: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
11 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Fairfield, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Fairfield has a moderate flood history with 11 FEMA claims averaging $6,220 per payout. 100% 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>$2,200</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 Fairfield, IL