Winnebago, IL: High Radon Risk — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
EPA compliance records for Winnebago tell a largely clear story: violation rates are low, health-based exceedances are uncommon, and the city's grade puts it well above average within IL.
How Winnebago Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Winnebago Water
- Average lead level: 0.0046 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 47% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.43 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Winnebago
Throughout Winnebago, IL, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 4 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Winnebago, Illinois (population ~5,992), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 153,739 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Winnebago — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Winnebago: 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
Winnebago water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0046 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61088 | B | Winnebago | 3,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Winnebago
- 61088 [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.
Health Outcomes in Winnebago
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Winnebago
With 47% 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
A median build year of 1980 in Winnebago is characteristic of a mixed-era city where plumbing risk depends heavily on the specific property. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper joints; those from before 1970 face the added possibility of lead service lines. The percentages above capture how much of the residential stock falls into each risk era.
Most homes in Winnebago were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Winnebago Homeowners
Viewed from a financial planning lens, Winnebago sits in the moderate remediation-share tier — the equity impact of addressing documented issues is real, and deliberate preparation separates smooth outcomes from disruptive ones for most homeowners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Winnebago. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 5% above the Illinois average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Winnebago
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.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 47% of Winnebago homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Winnebago
8 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Winnebago, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Winnebago has a moderate flood history with 8 FEMA claims averaging $994 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>$2,400</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 Winnebago, IL