Melrose Park, IL: 42 Violations — 64/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water data for Melrose Park, IL reveals a split picture — tap water quality varies meaningfully by service area and the city's grade reflects that variability.
How Melrose Park Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Melrose Park Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 42 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0056 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 89% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.18.
Melrose Park's Water Providers
Residential water service in Melrose Park, IL is divided among 3 separate utilities, drawn from 9 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Melrose Park, Illinois (population ~45,761), covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 130,553 people region-wide.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Melrose Park: 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
Melrose Park water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0056 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): 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 3 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 12 | 3 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 12 | 3 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 3 |
| Bromoform | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60160 | C | 14 | 0 | Melrose Park |
| 60161 | B | 14 | 0 | Melrose Park |
| 60164 | C | 14 | 0 | Melrose Park |
All ZIP Codes in Melrose Park
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.
Melrose Park 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 Melrose Park's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Melrose Park Infrastructure Age
With 89% 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 lead that enters tap water in older homes often comes not from the municipal supply but from the home's own plumbing — from solder used in copper joints before the 1986 federal ban, or from lead pipes installed before 1970. In Melrose Park, where the median build year is 1953, these older materials are widespread. More than half the residential stock predates the 1986 solder ban, and a significant fraction predates 1970 as well. For residents in those homes, the city-wide water quality picture is a less relevant frame than the specific materials inside their own walls and under their own street.
Over half of homes in Melrose Park 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 Melrose Park
How much of a Melrose Park home's value does documented remediation represent? A small fraction — the equity share here is in the low tier, and from a household financial perspective, most property owners are considering a commitment that fits comfortably within standard planning rather than a decision that rises to the level of a material budget event or significant equity consideration.
Remediation costs in Melrose Park are relatively low compared to home values. The $933–$2,833 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 44% above the Illinois average.
Melrose Park: 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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 89% of Melrose Park stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Melrose Park: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Measured against the full NFIP dataset, Melrose Park's flood record stands out: 992 claims accumulated over decades and 100% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated boundaries add up to a high-exposure profile where water infrastructure has faced recurrent stress.
Melrose Park has a significant flood history with 992 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $15,330 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$1,800</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 Melrose Park
- 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 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Melrose Park's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 89% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Melrose Park, IL