Water monitoring data from Springfield, IL tells a below-average story - health violations are present and system-level detail is worth reviewing before drawing conclusions.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Springfield

We track water quality and home safety data for 38 ZIP codes in Springfield, Illinois, covering 11 community water systems serving approximately 137,953 people.

38 of 38 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 342 total, including no health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: D (52/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• 66% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 19% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1972
• Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 52/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 20%
• 5 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 66% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Springfield residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

69,225 total housing units across 38 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Springfield:

• 132 flood insurance claims on record
• $1,854,121 total paid out
• $14,046 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
• 5 of 38 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 38 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes

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

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Springfield Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

• Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
• Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
• Check your ZIP code - each area in Springfield has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

• NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
• NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
• Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Test for Radon

• Springfield is in a high-risk radon area
• Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
• If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

Stay Informed

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

All ZIP Codes in Springfield

• 62701 [C] - 9 violations
• 62702 [D] - 9 violations
• 62703 [D] - 9 violations
• 62704 [D] - 9 violations
• 62705 [D] - 9 violations
• 62706 [D] - 9 violations
• 62707 [D] - 9 violations
• 62708 [D] - 9 violations
• 62711 [C] - 9 violations
• 62712 [C] - 9 violations
• 62713 [D] - 9 violations
• 62715 [D] - 9 violations
• 62716 [D] - 9 violations
• 62719 [D] - 9 violations
• 62721 [D] - 9 violations
• 62722 [D] - 9 violations
• 62723 [D] - 9 violations
• 62726 [D] - 9 violations
• 62736 [D] - 9 violations
• 62739 [D] - 9 violations
• 62746 [D] - 9 violations
• 62756 [D] - 9 violations
• 62757 [D] - 9 violations
• 62761 [C] - 9 violations
• 62762 [D] - 9 violations
• 62763 [D] - 9 violations
• 62764 [D] - 9 violations
• 62765 [D] - 9 violations
• 62766 [D] - 9 violations
• 62767 [D] - 9 violations
• 62769 [D] - 9 violations
• 62776 [D] - 9 violations
• 62777 [D] - 9 violations
• 62781 [D] - 9 violations
• 62786 [D] - 9 violations
• 62791 [D] - 9 violations
• 62794 [D] - 9 violations
• 62796 [D] - 9 violations

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Springfield, IL?

Springfield has an average Home Safety Score of 52/100 (grade D) across 38 ZIP codes. There are 342 recorded EPA violations, 0 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Is Springfield at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 132 flood insurance claims in Springfield ZIP codes, with an average payout of $14,046. 5 of 38 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Springfield homes?

66% of Springfield housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 19% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 20%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Springfield water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Contaminant 1006, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM). Across 38 ZIP codes, 38 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

Springfield has a newer housing profile - median build year 1972, placing most homes after the 1986 lead-solder ban.

1972

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Springfield 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.

Climate-Related Water Risk for Springfield

NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Springfield accumulating 132 claims and carrying 0% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones - evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.

132

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~7

Est. Claims/Year

Springfield has a moderate flood history with 132 FEMA claims. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.

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.

Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones - over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.

Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.