Worst Infrastructure: Chicago Metro — 2026

Out of 80 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in the Chicago metro area, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	80
Highest risk	NaN%
Median risk	NaN%
Average risk	NaN%

Top 80 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	46312	East Chicago	IN	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
2	46402	Gary	IN	NaN%	Unknown	75/100
3	46403	Gary	IN	NaN%	Unknown	75/100
4	46404	Gary	IN	NaN%	Unknown	75/100
5	46406	Gary	IN	NaN%	Unknown	74/100
6	46407	Gary	IN	NaN%	Unknown	75/100
7	46408	Gary	IN	NaN%	Unknown	74/100
8	46409	Gary	IN	NaN%	Unknown	75/100
9	53140	Kenosha	WI	NaN%	Unknown	82/100
10	53142	Kenosha	WI	NaN%	Unknown	80/100
11	53143	Kenosha	WI	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
12	53144	Kenosha	WI	NaN%	Unknown	82/100
13	60064	North Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	74/100
14	60120	Elgin	IL	NaN%	Unknown	59/100
15	60123	Elgin	IL	NaN%	Unknown	59/100
16	60124	Elgin	IL	NaN%	Unknown	53/100
17	60177	South Elgin	IL	NaN%	Unknown	40/100
18	60185	West Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
19	60411	Chicago Heights	IL	NaN%	Unknown	58/100
20	60415	Chicago Ridge	IL	NaN%	Unknown	68/100
21	60540	Naperville	IL	NaN%	Unknown	81/100
22	60563	Naperville	IL	NaN%	Unknown	79/100
23	60564	Naperville	IL	NaN%	Unknown	81/100
24	60565	Naperville	IL	NaN%	Unknown	81/100
25	60601	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
26	60602	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
27	60603	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
28	60604	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
29	60605	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
30	60606	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
31	60607	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
32	60608	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
33	60609	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
34	60610	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
35	60611	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
36	60612	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
37	60613	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
38	60614	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
39	60615	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
40	60616	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
41	60617	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
42	60618	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
43	60619	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
44	60620	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
45	60621	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
46	60622	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
47	60623	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
48	60624	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
49	60625	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
50	60626	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
51	60628	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
52	60629	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
53	60630	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
54	60631	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	70/100
55	60632	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
56	60633	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	58/100
57	60634	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	71/100
58	60636	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
59	60637	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
60	60638	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	63/100
61	60639	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
62	60640	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
63	60641	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
64	60642	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
65	60643	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
66	60644	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	65/100
67	60645	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
68	60646	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	71/100
69	60647	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
70	60649	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
71	60651	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
72	60652	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
73	60653	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
74	60654	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
75	60655	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	69/100
76	60656	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	70/100
77	60657	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
78	60659	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
79	60660	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100
80	60661	Chicago	IL	NaN%	Unknown	72/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-08-31.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.