CITY REPORT IL

Lake Zurich, IL: 4 Violations — 57/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 12 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Although much of Lake Zurich meets baseline drinking water standards, some IL-tracked service areas show violations that merit a closer look — particularly for older housing stock.

How Lake Zurich Compares

Lake Zurich57/100
Illinois avg61/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
12
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
C · 57
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
Radon Risk (Moderate)
$510K
Median Home Value
$2,100
Est. Remediation (0.4% of home value)

What You Should Know About Lake Zurich Water

  • Your city's water systems recorded 4 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.0102 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 47% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 11.37.

Who Supplies Your Water in Lake Zurich

With 3 utilities splitting service in Lake Zurich, IL, water accountability is distributed across 12 systems on the federal record.

Buffalo Grove
Serves ~43,212 people · 4 violations
57
/100
Vernon Hills - Lake Company Pw
Serves ~33,207 people · 4 violations
57
/100
Lake Zurich
Serves ~19,759 people · 4 violations
57
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Lake Zurich, Illinois (population ~44,100), covering 12 community water systems serving approximately 149,080 people region-wide.

1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Lake Zurich: C (57/100)

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

Lake Zurich water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0102 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
Gross Beta Radionuclides 4 1
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 2 1
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 2 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
60047 C 4 0 Lake Zurich

All ZIP Codes in Lake Zurich

  • 60047 [C] — 4 violations

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Health Outcomes in Lake Zurich

9.1%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
11.2%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
14.1%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 9.1% ↓
Diabetes 11.2% ↑
Mental Health 14.1% ↓

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Top Contaminants in Lake Zurich Water

Gross Beta 4 violations
Radionuclides · EPA limit: 50 pCi/L
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 2 violations
Disinfection Byproducts · EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L
Increased cancer risk with long-term exposure
Surface Water Treatment Rule 2 violations
Treatment Technique
Pathogens may not be adequately removed

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

Housing & Infrastructure in Lake Zurich

1983
Median Build Year
47%
Built Before 1986
7%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 47% 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

Roughly balanced between older and newer construction, Lake Zurich shows a median build year of 1983 — a mid-range figure that places meaningful amounts of the residential inventory on both sides of the 1986 federal plumbing-solder ban.

1983
Median Year Built
47%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
7%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (7%) 1970–1986 (40%) Post-1986 (53%)

Most homes in Lake Zurich were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Lake Zurich Homeowners

Because property values in Lake Zurich comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.

Median Home Value
$510,000
Est. Remediation
$2,100
Remediation as % of home value 0.4%

Remediation costs in Lake Zurich are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,100–$3,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 177% above the Illinois average.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Lake Zurich

47%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0102
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 47% of Lake Zurich homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Flood & Climate Risk in Lake Zurich

Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Lake Zurich shows 32 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.

32
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$6,113
Avg Claim Payout
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones
~2
Est. Claims/Year

Lake Zurich has a moderate flood history with 32 FEMA claims averaging $6,113 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>$2,100</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 Lake Zurich

  1. 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.
  2. Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Gross Beta can reduce the most common contaminant found in Lake Zurich's water.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 47% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Lake Zurich, IL?
Lake Zurich has an average water safety score of 57/100 (Grade C). 4 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does Lake Zurich have?
Lake Zurich water systems have a total of 4 EPA violations. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
Does Lake Zurich water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Lake Zurich is 0.0102 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Lake Zurich compare to Illinois average?
Lake Zurich has an average water safety score of 57/100, which is below the Illinois state average of 61/100.
How many water systems serve Lake Zurich?
Lake Zurich is served by 12 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 44,100 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Lake Zurich?
Estimated remediation costs in Lake Zurich average $2,100 per household, ranging from $1,100 to $3,400. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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