Mason, IL: 3 Health Violations - Home Safety 72/100
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Mason: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Within Mason, safety indicators for tap water remain above the IL median - documented violations are infrequent and the city's compliance record sits in the upper tier.
How Mason Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Mason Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 27 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0032 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 53% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.06 - above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Mason
Multiple utilities divide Mason, IL's water service - 3 leading providers among 4 on the federal register.
- B
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Mason, Illinois (population ~1,771), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 33,214 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mason: B (72/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Mason water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0032 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
| Contaminant 3015 | Other | 12 | 1 |
| Coliform (TCR) | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1009 | Other | 4 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62443 | B | 27 | 3 | Ej Water Cooperative |
All ZIP Codes in Mason
- 62443 [B] - 27 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Mason
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 Mason
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Mason's Housing Stock?
With 53% 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
The character of Mason's housing stock is one of deep historical layering - a median build year of 1986 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Mason 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.
Mason: Remediation Cost in Perspective
At current valuations, Mason sits in the low remediation-share tier - the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Mason are relatively low compared to home values. The $300–$1,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 10% below the Illinois average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Mason
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.
53% - that captures the slice of Mason housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Mason, IL