Watson, IL: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 74/100
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Watson: B.
This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.
Within Watson, IL, the available records add up to an upper-tier grade; that grade describes records, not the water at a given faucet.
How Watson Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Watson Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 25 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0032 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 66% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $800 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 13.06.
Water Systems Serving Watson
Counting every public water system linked to Watson, IL in federal data gives 4. The list below keeps the 3 largest by reported population served, a figure that covers each system's whole service area rather than the city alone. A household's own supplier is named on its water bill.
- B
- B
- B
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 of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
| Cryptosporidium | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
| Turbidity | Treatment Technique | 12 | 1 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 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). 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
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. 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
Lead can reach tap water from service lines, solder and brass fittings inside a building, which is why housing age draws attention in Watson, where the median build year is 1988.
Over half of homes in Watson 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.
Watson: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Here the gap between local home values and the estimated repair bill is wide, so the percentage shown below for Watson stays at or under the 1% mark.
Estimated remediation costs in Watson 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 36% below the Illinois average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Watson
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.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
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