CITY REPORT IL

Oak Brook, IL: 17 Violations — 60/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Although much of Oak Brook meets baseline drinking water standards, some IL-tracked service areas show violations that merit a closer look — particularly for older housing stock.

How Oak Brook Compares

Oak Brook60/100
Illinois avg61/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
8
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
C · 60
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
Radon Risk (Moderate)
$733K
Median Home Value
$3,000
Est. Remediation (0.4% of home value)

Key Facts for Oak Brook Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 17 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.0008 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 79% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 10.67.

Oak Brook's Water Providers

At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of Oak Brook, IL's residential water connections out of 8 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.

Downers Grove
Serves ~49,425 people · 17 violations
60
/100
Elmhurst
Serves ~45,000 people · 17 violations
60
/100
Westmont
Serves ~24,161 people · 17 violations
60
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Oak Brook, Illinois (population ~10,012), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 174,560 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 Oak Brook: C (60/100)

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

Oak Brook water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0008 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)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 6 1
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 6 1
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 6 1
Contaminant 4109 Other 4 1
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 4 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
60523 C 17 0 Oak Brook

All ZIP Codes in Oak Brook

  • 60523 [C] — 17 violations

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Oak Brook Community Health Snapshot

8.9%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
10%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
13.4%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 8.9% ↓
Diabetes 10% ↓
Mental Health 13.4% ↓

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

What's in Oak Brook's Water?

Surface Water Treatment Rule 6 violations
Treatment Technique
Pathogens may not be adequately removed
Consumer Confidence Report Rule 6 violations
Reporting
Revised Total Coliform Rule 6 violations
Microbiological
Indicates possible bacterial contamination

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

Oak Brook Infrastructure Age

1974
Median Build Year
79%
Built Before 1986
12%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 79% 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. Oak Brook's median build year of 1974 places it squarely in that category.

1974
Median Year Built
79%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
12%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (12%) 1970–1986 (67%) Post-1986 (21%)

Over half of homes in Oak Brook 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 Oak Brook

In Oak Brook, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.

Median Home Value
$733,300
Est. Remediation
$3,000
Remediation as % of home value 0.4%

Remediation costs in Oak Brook are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,000–$4,000 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 299% above the Illinois average.

Oak Brook: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

79%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0008
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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 Oak Brook represents 79% 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.

Oak Brook: Flood History & Water Damage Risk

Measured across the NFIP's multi-decade tracking period, Oak Brook shows a moderate flood record — 90 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.

90
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$45,097
Avg Claim Payout
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones
~5
Est. Claims/Year

Oak Brook has a moderate flood history with 90 FEMA claims averaging $45,097 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 Oak Brook

  1. 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.
  2. Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Oak Brook's water.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 79% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Oak Brook, IL?
Oak Brook has an average water safety score of 60/100 (Grade C). 17 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does Oak Brook have?
Oak Brook water systems have a total of 17 EPA violations. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
Does Oak Brook water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Oak Brook is 0.0008 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Oak Brook compare to Illinois average?
Oak Brook has an average water safety score of 60/100, which is below the Illinois state average of 61/100.
How many water systems serve Oak Brook?
Oak Brook is served by 8 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 10,012 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Oak Brook?
Estimated remediation costs in Oak Brook average $3,000 per household, ranging from $2,000 to $4,000. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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