New Lenox, IL: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 78/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for New Lenox: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
New Lenox tap water earns a high safety grade - above-average compliance with IL and federal standards.
How New Lenox Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for New Lenox Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 79 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0065 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 36% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.84.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in New Lenox, Illinois (population ~37,481), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 231,510 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. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for New Lenox: B (78/100)
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
New Lenox water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0065 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 2383 | Other | 12 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2032 | Other | 6 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2036 | Other | 6 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2931 | Other | 6 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2946 | Other | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60451 | B | 79 | 1 | New Lenox |
All ZIP Codes in New Lenox
- 60451 [B] - 79 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.
New Lenox 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 New Lenox's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
New Lenox Infrastructure Age
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Housing age is a practical proxy for plumbing risk because federal standards changed in 1986, when lead solder was banned from new residential construction, and again earlier - before 1970, lead pipes were themselves commonly installed. New Lenox's median build year of 1996 sits in the range where both pre- and post-1986 homes are well represented. The bar chart above reflects that mixed picture: the distribution captures pockets of older housing alongside more recent development, and those pockets carry real lead risk potential at the individual property level.
Most homes in New Lenox 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in New Lenox
In New Lenox, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small - not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in New Lenox are relatively low compared to home values. The $950–$3,200 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 103% above the Illinois average.
New Lenox: 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.
Routinely in New Lenox, where 36% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
New Lenox: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for New Lenox contains 88 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $9,422. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$1,900</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for New Lenox, IL