Waukegan, IL: 12 Violations — 61/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water monitoring across Waukegan paints a mid-range picture within IL — solid compliance in some service zones, documented concerns in others. Most violations on record are concentrated in specific areas, and the overall grade has held in the middle tier without major shifts in recent monitoring cycles.
How Waukegan Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Waukegan Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 12 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.009 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 73% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.37.
Water Systems Serving Waukegan
In Waukegan, IL, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 6 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Waukegan, Illinois (population ~100,191), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 179,721 people region-wide.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Waukegan: C (61/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Waukegan water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0090 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 3 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 3 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 3 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 3 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60079 | C | 4 | 0 | Waukegan |
| 60085 | C | 4 | 0 | Waukegan |
| 60087 | C | 4 | 0 | Waukegan |
All ZIP Codes in Waukegan
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
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Waukegan
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 Waukegan
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Waukegan's Housing Stock?
With 73% 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
Reading the housing age data for Waukegan — median build year 1970 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Waukegan 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.
Waukegan: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Remediation costs in Waukegan are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Waukegan are relatively low compared to home values. The $533–$2,000 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 1% above the Illinois average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Waukegan
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 73% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Waukegan.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Waukegan
FEMA data shows 67% of Waukegan's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 81 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Waukegan has a moderate flood history with 81 FEMA claims averaging $17,876 per payout. 67% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. 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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,200</strong> remediation cost per household.
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.
What You Can Do in Waukegan
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Waukegan's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 73% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Waukegan, IL