Ozark, IL Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water data for Ozark, IL shows a low safety grade — health-based violations appear across a meaningful share of service areas in current EPA records.
How Ozark Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Ozark Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 32% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.55 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Ozark
Federal drinking water records identify 2 systems in Ozark, IL. The leading 2 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ozark, Illinois (population ~891), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 14,070 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Ozark — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ozark: D (53/100)
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
Ozark water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Ozark
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62972 | D | Lake of Egypt Pwd | 11,368 |
All ZIP Codes in Ozark
- 62972 [D]
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 Ozark
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
How Old Is Ozark's Housing Stock?
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
Prohibited from residential plumbing since 1986, lead solder divides Ozark's housing stock along a timeline that the median build year of 1994 straddles. A meaningful share of homes predates the ban — a configuration that places moderate aggregate pressure on plumbing-related lead risk, distributed unevenly across neighborhoods.
Most homes in Ozark 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.
Ozark: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Low proportionality — that's the Ozark picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Ozark are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 6% below the Illinois average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Ozark
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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Ozark — 32% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Ozark
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 32% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ozark, IL