Knoxville, IL: 5 Health Violations — 60/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Knoxville's water quality grade in IL reflects a middle-ground assessment — service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
How Knoxville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Knoxville Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 13 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0011 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 83% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.71 — above typical levels.
Knoxville's Water Providers
Structurally, Knoxville, IL's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 3 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 1 ZIP code in Knoxville, Illinois (population ~3,906), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 34,990 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 5 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Knoxville: C (60/100)
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
Knoxville water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0011 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 14 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Contaminant 4109 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61448 | C | 13 | 5 | Knoxville |
All ZIP Codes in Knoxville
- 61448 [C] — 13 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.
Knoxville 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 Knoxville's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Knoxville Infrastructure Age
With 83% 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 1979, as in Knoxville, 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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville
Property equity in Knoxville sits at a moderate ratio to estimated remediation costs — a classification that reframes the household financial perspective from routine maintenance to deliberate budgeting, where most homeowners have a realistic path to addressing documented water and safety issues if they map the financial commitment against available resources before committing to scope.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Knoxville. The estimated $1,500–$3,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 24% below the Illinois average.
Knoxville: 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 83% pre-rule share in Knoxville 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.
What You Can Do in Knoxville
- 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. Filters rated for Gross Beta can reduce the most common contaminant found in Knoxville's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 83% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Knoxville, IL