Thornton, IL: 12 Violations - Home Safety 68/100
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Thornton: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Thornton, IL holds a middle-tier grade; review the underlying water system records for the reasons behind it.
How Thornton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Thornton Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 12 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.014 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 93% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 11.18.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Thornton, Illinois (population ~1,876), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 30,805 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. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Thornton: C (68/100)
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
Thornton water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0140 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 2.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 12 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 1 |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60476 | C | 12 | 0 | Thornton |
All ZIP Codes in Thornton
- 60476 [C] - 12 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.
Thornton 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 Thornton's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Thornton Infrastructure Age
With 93% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Renovation history matters as much as age: in Thornton, with a median build year of 1954, some older homes have been replumbed and some have not.
Over half of homes in Thornton were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Thornton
Measured against the median home value, the estimated cost of fixing the issues flagged for Thornton lands in the lowest of the three tiers this page uses.
Estimated remediation costs in Thornton can be compared with local home values. The $300–$800 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 20% below the Illinois average.
Thornton: 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.
Two pieces of area data frame lead for Thornton families. First, the average of ZIP-level 90th-percentile lead results is 0.010 mg/L or higher. Second, census figures put homes built before 1986, which are more likely to contain lead pipes, fixtures or solder, at about 93% of the housing stock. Neither figure measures a particular home, so a certified lab test of the tap water is the step that shows the lead level there.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Thornton: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Thornton contains 3 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $7,239. 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 $500 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 Thornton
- 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 Consumer Confidence Rule, listed in the water-quality records for Thornton: 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. With 93% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Thornton, IL