Radium in Illinois Drinking Water — 100 ZIPs Tested

Radium Contamination in Illinois

ZipCheckup analyzed drinking water data across 1,583 ZIP codes in Illinois for radium contamination. 100 ZIP codes have reported radium detections, and 7 have EPA violations on record.

The violation rate for radium in Illinois is 0.4% of all ZIP codes — lower than the national average.

EPA Standard for Radium

The EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) for radium is 5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228), governed by the Radionuclides Rule. Water systems that exceed this limit must take corrective action and notify consumers.

Worst ZIP Codes for Radium in Illinois

These ZIP codes reported the highest radium levels in Illinois based on CCR reports and EPA data:

Lowest Radium Levels in Illinois

These ZIP codes had the lowest reported radium detections in Illinois:

Health Effects of Radium

Radium is a radioactive element that increases cancer risk, particularly bone cancer. It accumulates in bones because the body treats it like calcium. The EPA estimates that drinking water with 5 pCi/L of radium over a lifetime poses a 1 in 10,000 cancer risk.

How to Remove Radium From Drinking Water

The most effective treatment for radium removal is Reverse Osmosis or Ion Exchange. Look for filters certified under NSF 58 standards.

Check Your ZIP Code

Use the ZipCheckup water quality search to see radium data for your specific water system in Illinois.