Saint Augustine, IL: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Saint Augustine, IL: water systems collectively below average — violations documented.
How Saint Augustine Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Saint Augustine Water
- Homes built before 1986: 96% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.71 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Saint Augustine
A single dominant system supplies most of Saint Augustine, IL. That utility controls infrastructure decisions, rate structures, and EPA compliance reporting for most residential addresses served across those 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Saint Augustine, Illinois (population ~238), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,275 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Saint Augustine — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Saint Augustine: D (40/100)
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
Saint Augustine water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Saint Augustine
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61474 | D | ABINGDON | 3,275 |
All ZIP Codes in Saint Augustine
- 61474 [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.
Health Outcomes in Saint Augustine
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Saint Augustine
With 96% 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 a city's housing median build year is 1901, as in Saint Augustine, the implication for water quality research is straightforward: municipal-level data captures what leaves the treatment plant, but household plumbing from before 1986 determines what actually arrives at the tap. In cities where older housing predominates, that gap between system-level and household-level data is widest.
Over half of homes in Saint Augustine 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Saint Augustine Homeowners
The cost-to-value ratio in Saint Augustine is in the moderate range — neither dismissible nor alarming, but above the threshold where remediation can be treated as incidental. Most homeowners here are weighing a real equity commitment, and the moderate classification reflects that accurately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Saint Augustine. The estimated $800–$1,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 58% below the Illinois average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Saint Augustine
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 Saint Augustine represents 96% 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.
What You Can Do in Saint Augustine
- 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 96% 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 Saint Augustine, IL