Leaf River, IL: 2 Violations — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Leaf River, EPA compliance records fall well below IL averages — documented health-based violations affect multiple service areas, and the city's sustained low grade reflects a persistent pattern across reporting cycles.
How Leaf River Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Leaf River Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 70% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.85 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Leaf River
Water delivery in Leaf River, IL is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 3 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 1 ZIP code in Leaf River, Illinois (population ~1,728), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 7,341 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 Leaf River: D (53/100)
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
Leaf River water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Leaf River
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61047 | D | 2 | 0 | Byron |
All ZIP Codes in Leaf River
- 61047 [D] — 2 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.
Health Outcomes in Leaf River
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
Top Contaminants in Leaf River Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Leaf River
With 70% 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 more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Leaf River's median build year of 1966 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Leaf River 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Leaf River Homeowners
The cost-to-value ratio in Leaf River is in the moderate range — neither dismissible nor alarming, but above the threshold where remediation can be treated as incidental. Most homeowners here are weighing a real equity commitment, and the moderate classification reflects that accurately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Leaf River. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 21% above the Illinois average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Leaf River
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.
Older stock in Leaf River represents 70% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Leaf River
Measured across the NFIP's multi-decade tracking period, Leaf River shows a moderate flood record — 14 claims and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone status. For water quality, that combination matters because flood events at this frequency can periodically stress infrastructure: treatment plants, private wells, and distribution systems all face elevated risk during significant flooding.
Leaf River has a moderate flood history with 14 FEMA claims averaging $15,898 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>$2,400</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 Leaf River
- 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 Stage 2 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Leaf River's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 70% 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 Leaf River, IL