Palmer, IL Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Palmer, safety indicators for tap water remain above the IL median — documented violations are infrequent and the city's compliance record sits in the upper tier.
How Palmer Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Palmer Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0048 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 92% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.09 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Palmer
A single utility carries the primary residential water load in Palmer, IL — the dominant provider across 1 federally tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Palmer, Illinois, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 365 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Palmer — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Palmer: B (83/100)
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
Palmer water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0048 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62556 | B | Palmer | 250 |
All ZIP Codes in Palmer
- 62556 [B]
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 Palmer
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 Palmer's Housing Stock?
With 92% 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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Palmer sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1944 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Palmer 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.
Palmer: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Low proportionality — that's the Palmer picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Palmer are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 54% below the Illinois average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Palmer
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 92% of Palmer 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Palmer, IL