Mason County, Illinois
7 ZIP codes · Avg score 53/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Water safety in Mason County ranks low — 7 ZIP codes, persistent health-based violations on record.
How Mason County Compares
How Mason County Compares
Mason County scores 8 points below the Illinois state average (61/100) and 15 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Mason County, Illinois
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.7 (asthma 10.5%, diabetes 13.3%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,754, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.459% avg pipe failure probability, 86% of ZIPs at high risk
82.9% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,754
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
5,142 housing units in Mason County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Mason County
Water safety remediation is a moderate expense relative to home values. Most homeowners can address issues through staged improvements over time.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Mason County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Mason County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manito | 1,552 | 5 |
| 2 | Forest City | 222 | 5 |
| 3 | Easton | 334 | 2 |
| 4 | HAVANA | 2,963 | 1 |
| 5 | Mason City | 2,558 | 1 |
7 total water systems serve Mason County.
All ZIP Codes in Mason County
7 ZIP codes tracked in Mason County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 61532 | Forest City | 66 | C | 5 (1 health) | $110K |
| 2 | 62682 | San Jose | 66 | C | 1 | $74K |
| 3 | 62664 | Mason City | 60 | C | 1 | $103K |
| 4 | 62644 | Havana | 58 | C | 1 | $105K |
| 5 | 62633 | Easton | 44 | D | 2 (1 health) | $93K |
| 6 | 61567 | Topeka | 40 | D | 0 | $133K |
| 7 | 61543 | Liverpool | 35 | F | 0 | $54K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Mason County
Eight risk categories drive the selection — PFAS exceedance, lead above EPA action level, pre-1978 housing share, EPA Radon Zone 1, flood-top-risk, wildfire-top-risk, multi-contaminant load, and a baseline fallback — and each category maps to a specific buyer-guide track that surfaces when the county data hits its threshold for that hazard signal.
- Best Water Filters for Lead — Lead above EPA action level in 1 ZIP code
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 82.9% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Mason County, Illinois
Overview
Mason County in Illinois covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (53/100).
5 of 7 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Illinois water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.
What You Can Do
Mason County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
82.9% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.