Watson, IL: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 74/100
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Watson: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Unlike many cities its size in IL, Watson keeps health-based violation rates low - systems here score at or above the state average for tap water safety, with no systemic concerns flagged in the current data set.
How Watson Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Watson Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 25 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0032 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 66% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.06 - above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Watson
Structurally, Watson, IL's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 4 water systems in the area, with 3 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
- B
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Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Watson, Illinois (population ~1,124), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 43,166 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 Watson: B (74/100)
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
Watson water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0032 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 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
| Contaminant 3015 | Other | 12 | 1 |
| Coliform (TCR) | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1009 | Other | 4 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62473 | B | 25 | 1 | Ej Water Cooperative |
All ZIP Codes in Watson
- 62473 [B] - 25 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.
CDC Health Data for Watson
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Watson
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Watson's Housing Stock?
With 66% 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
Because the majority of Watson's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1988 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Watson 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.
Watson: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Remediation costs in Watson represent a moderate share of typical home values - worth budgeting for carefully, though within reach for most homeowners who plan ahead.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Watson. The estimated $450–$2,200 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 36% below the Illinois average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Watson
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.
When older housing represents 66% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Watson address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Watson, IL