West Frankfort, IL Water Safety: 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water tracked for West Frankfort by IL authorities posts above-average scores — the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.
How West Frankfort Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
West Frankfort Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0064 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 80% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.33 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving West Frankfort
Structurally, West Frankfort, 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.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in West Frankfort, Illinois, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 10,691 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in West Frankfort — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for West Frankfort: B (70/100)
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
West Frankfort water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0064 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62896 | B | West Frankfort | 8,650 |
All ZIP Codes in West Frankfort
- 62896 [B]
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 West Frankfort
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
How Old Is West Frankfort's Housing Stock?
With 80% 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
When a city's housing median build year is 1964, as in West Frankfort, the implication for water quality research is straightforward: municipal-level data captures what leaves the treatment plant, but household plumbing from before 1986 determines what actually arrives at the tap. In cities where older housing predominates, that gap between system-level and household-level data is widest.
Over half of homes in West Frankfort 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.
West Frankfort: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Across the West Frankfort housing market, the estimated remediation share sits at an elevated level — the cost-to-value ratio here is high enough that addressing documented water and safety issues becomes a material equity decision rather than routine maintenance, and most homeowners benefit from treating it as a structured financial planning exercise.
At 2.4% of home value, remediation costs in West Frankfort represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,100–$3,400. Home values here are 52% below the Illinois average.
Protecting Children from Lead in West Frankfort
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 80% 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 West Frankfort address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for West Frankfort
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For West Frankfort, that record documents 54 claims and 100% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.
West Frankfort has a moderate flood history with 54 FEMA claims averaging $9,713 per payout. 100% 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>$2,100</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for West Frankfort, IL