Mchenry, IL: 2 Health Violations — 64/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 11 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
If you're checking Mchenry, IL tap water safety, the short answer is: average — violations are present in parts of the city and specifics depend on which water system serves your address.
How Mchenry Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Mchenry Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 14 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0063 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 54% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.76.
Water Systems Serving Mchenry
Across Mchenry, IL, residential water comes from 3 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently — managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 11 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Mchenry, Illinois (population ~55,801), covering 11 community water systems serving approximately 97,979 people region-wide.
2 of 2 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mchenry: C (64/100)
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
Mchenry water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0063 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 6 | 2 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 2 |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | 2 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 3 | 2 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 3 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
All ZIP Codes in Mchenry
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.
CDC Health Data for Mchenry
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 Mchenry
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Mchenry's Housing Stock?
With 54% 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 1987, Mchenry 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 Mchenry 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.
Mchenry: Remediation Cost in Perspective
How does remediation fit within the broader financial picture for Mchenry homeowners? The equity share is moderate — large enough that treating it as a real planning consideration makes sense, and manageable enough that most homeowners have a clear path to addressing documented water and safety issues when they approach the commitment with deliberate advance budgeting rather than as an unplanned expense.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Mchenry. The estimated $1,950–$4,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 46% above the Illinois average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Mchenry
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.
54% — that captures the slice of Mchenry 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Mchenry
100% of ZIP codes in Mchenry are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 415 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Mchenry has a moderate flood history with 415 FEMA claims averaging $7,497 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>$3,000</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 Mchenry
- 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 Lead can reduce the most common contaminant found in Mchenry's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 54% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Mchenry, IL