CITY REPORT IL 1 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

South Elgin, IL: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 40/100

1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for South Elgin: D.

Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.

Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. NSF certified filters →

South Elgin, IL water systems: poor compliance record, lower-tier safety grade.

How South Elgin Compares

South Elgin40/100
Illinois avg68/100
National avg73/100

Data: EPA SDWIS

1
ZIP Codes
5
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
D · 40
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)
$296K
Median Home Value
$3,300
Est. Remediation (1.1% of home value)

Key Facts for South Elgin Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 18 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.013 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 30% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $3,300 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 11.61.

South Elgin's Water Providers

Across South Elgin, IL, residential water comes from 3 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently - managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 5 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.

  • Elgin
    Serves ~114,797 people 8 violations
    D
  • St Charles
    Serves ~33,103 people 2 violations
    D
  • South Elgin
    Serves ~23,648 people 6 violations
    D

Overview

We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in South Elgin, Illinois (population ~24,030), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 172,979 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 South Elgin: D (40/100)

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

South Elgin water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0130 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 1 (High Risk)

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

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 12 1
Chlorite Disinfection Byproducts 10 1
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 6 1
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 4 1
Contaminant 2031 Other 2 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
60177 D 18 1 South Elgin

All ZIP Codes in South Elgin

  • 60177 [D] - 18 violations ⚠

Data Sources

Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.

South Elgin Community Health Snapshot

9.3%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
11.5%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
15%
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 9.3% ↓
Diabetes 11.5% ↑
Mental Health 15% ↑

Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national

What's in South Elgin's Water?

Stage 1 DBP Rule 12 violations
Treatment Technique
Disinfection byproduct exposure risk
Chlorite 10 violations
Disinfection Byproducts · EPA limit: 1 mg/L
Anemia in infants and young children
Surface Water Treatment Rule 6 violations
Treatment Technique
Pathogens may not be adequately removed

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

South Elgin Infrastructure Age

1994
Median Build Year
30%
Built Before 1986
10%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

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

Lead solder was a standard plumbing material before 1986, when federal law prohibited its use in new residential construction. In South Elgin, the median build year of 1994 indicates that plumbing age is a material factor in local lead risk - with the pre-1986 share concentrated in specific neighborhoods and building types where older construction remains common.

1994
Median Year Built
30%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
10%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (10%) 1970–1986 (20%) Post-1986 (70%)

Most homes in South Elgin 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 South Elgin

The equity impact of remediation in South Elgin sits at a moderate level - real enough to plan for, within reach for most.

Median Home Value
$296,200
Est. Remediation
$3,300
Remediation as % of home value 1.1%

Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in South Elgin. The estimated $2,150–$4,700 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 61% above the Illinois average.

South Elgin: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

30%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.013
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.

Since the federal solder ban took effect, new plumbing has been built without that pathway, and South Elgin's pre-rule stock at 30% reflects a contained footprint.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

South Elgin: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

83
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$14,931
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
100%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for South Elgin contains 83 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $14,931. 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>$3,300</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.

What You Can Do in South Elgin

  1. Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
  2. Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in South Elgin's water.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
  4. 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 South Elgin, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for South Elgin, IL?
South Elgin has an average Home Safety Score of 40/100 (Grade D) under model 4.0.0. The score combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AQI, and is published only when all required domains are observed. 18 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
How many water violations does South Elgin have?
South Elgin water systems have a total of 18 EPA violations, including 1 health-based violation. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
Does South Elgin water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in South Elgin is 0.013 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 South Elgin compare to Illinois average?
South Elgin has an average Home Safety Score of 40/100, which is below the Illinois state average of 68/100 for the same model series.
How many water systems serve South Elgin?
South Elgin is served by 5 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 24,030 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in South Elgin?
Estimated remediation costs in South Elgin average $3,300 per household, ranging from $2,150 to $4,700. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). South Elgin, IL: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 40/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/il/south-elgin/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-il-south-elgin,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{South Elgin, IL: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 40/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/il/south-elgin/}
}

Page version: August 2026.

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