South Elgin, IL: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 40/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for South Elgin: D.
Federal records show several conditions worth reviewing.
Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. NSF certified filters →
On the A-F scale ZipCheckup uses, South Elgin, IL rates a D or an F.
How South Elgin Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for South Elgin Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 18 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.013 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 30% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $800 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 11.61.
South Elgin's Water Providers
Because each listed system has its own federal record, violations at one of the 3 shown below do not apply to the others among the 5 tied to South Elgin, IL.
- D
- D
- 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 of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 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
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 1 |
| Total organic carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 6 | 1 |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Dalapon | Organic | 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
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
South Elgin Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
What's in South Elgin's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
South Elgin Infrastructure Age
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
1994 is the median build year in South Elgin, and the age breakdown below shows how much of the housing predates 1986.
Most homes in South Elgin were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in South Elgin
Low tier for South Elgin: remediation estimated at up to 1% of what homes are worth.
Estimated remediation costs in South Elgin can be compared with local home values. The $450–$1,400 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 61% above the Illinois average.
South Elgin: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
CDC has identified no safe blood lead level in children, and lead in water can differ from one home to the next; in South Elgin, testing the water a child drinks is how to learn the lead level in that water, and a blood test is how to learn the child's level. About 30% of the city's homes date from before 1986.
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
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 $800 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
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Consider testing your home's tap water for lead, since household plumbing can affect its level.
- Install a certified water filter. For Lead and Copper Rule, listed in the water-quality records for South Elgin: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- Review your water system's CCR. If you use a community water system, request its annual Consumer Confidence Report for system-level test results or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for South Elgin, IL