ZipCheckup grade for 62473: B.

This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.

Your top priority: have older plumbing checked for lead solder. Check your ZIP → EPA: reduce lead

Health Violations Found
B 74

Watson, IL (62473): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 74/100

EPA data combined for 4 water systems mapped to this ZIP (largest mapped system: Ej Water Cooperative)

Health Violations Found PFAS Detected

Health-based violation records by water system:

EPA records for the water systems mapped to 62473 in Watson, IL contain 25 recorded violations for inclusive record years 2021 through 2026, all mapped systems combined; 1 are marked health-based.

Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SDWIS

Based on EPA Drinking Water FEMA Flood Data U.S. Census CDC Energy Information Admin. USGS Water Data & 9 more federal sources
Latest air quality, EPA records and weather alerts Current data temporarily unavailable
Current EPA violation data unavailable
Water records and current conditions
Current EPA violation data unavailable
Safety Score
B 74/100
Water Quality Issues 1 health-based violation
Lead Risk Below action level 0.002 mg/L, 90th percentile, sample period ending 2026-12-31
NFIP Claim History N/A
Data confidence: High (direct measurement) Medium (sampled / sub-geography) Low (modeled / inferred) Methodology →

At a Glance

  • Water EPA records for water systems mapped to this ZIP show 1 health-based violation and 24 non-health-based (since 2021).
  • Lead The reported 90th-percentile lead result of 0.002 mg/L is below the EPA action level for water systems; EPA's health goal for lead is zero.
  • PFAS PFAS detected in UCMR5 sampling; see the PFAS section for each compound, compared with the federal PFAS MCL where one exists.
  • Radon EPA Zone 2 - county-level radon potential, not a home measurement.
Contaminant Summary
Health Violations
25 violations 1 health-based PFAS detected
Report data assembled: Jul 27, 2026 EPA water-system identity: source date or period is not present in ZipCheckup's accepted source record EPA violation history: more than two update cycles old Lead, copper and UCMR measurements: source date or period is not present in ZipCheckup's accepted source record
B
ZIP-level Home Safety model score: 74 / 100
Bottom 49% of U.S. ZIP codes
4
Water Systems
29,720
People Served
1
Health Violations (since 2021)Median is 0
Surface water
Water Source
0.002 mg/L
Reported Lead Result
Zone 2
County Radon Potential · Moderate
$117K
Median Home Value20% below state median ($147K)

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Score Breakdown

Overall Home Safety Score: 74/100

This is the published model score. Component and domain values are shown independently; they are not added together on this page.

Canonical components

EPA water compliance
42/100
Observed
PFAS MCL screen
100/100
Observed
EPA radon zone
50/100
Observed
Annual EPA AirData AQI
100/100
Observed

Required domains

Drinking water
71/100
Indoor environment
50/100
Outdoor environment
100/100

Coverage: 4 of 4 components and 3 of 3 domains observed.

Model 4.0.0; series home-safety-v4-cross-vertical.

Safety & Health (6) CRITICAL

Your Water System

ZIP code 62473 in Watson, Illinois is mapped to the water system Ej Water Cooperative (EPA ID: IL0790010). This system provides water to approximately 29,720 people from surface water sources.

There are 4 community water systems serving this area.

Water Systems Serving This Area

System Name EPA ID Population Source
Ej Water Cooperative IL0790010 29,720 Surface water
Edgewood IL0490200 440 Surface water
Effingham IL0490250 12,252 Surface water
Ej Water-watson IL0490500 754 Surface water

Other Water Quality Reports in Illinois

Nearby Water Quality Reports

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View available EPA compliance records for Ej Water Cooperative (IL0790010) on EPA.gov.

5 of the top compounds applied across the surrounding county in USGS pesticide-use estimates appear on EPA drinking-water monitoring lists. See the agricultural pesticide-use section.

📊 EPA Safe Drinking Water · View source →

PFAS Contamination Detected

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been reported in samples from water systems associated with ZIP code 62473.

Detected compounds: PFBA.

Highest measured level: 0.0062 µg/L

Reverse osmosis (RO) and activated carbon block filters can reduce PFAS at the tap. Certifications list the compounds covered: an NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 claim for PFOA/PFOS does not cover every PFAS, so check that the product lists the compounds detected here.

📊 EPA UCMR5 · View source →
Environmental Hazards (10) HIGH
Home & Infrastructure (6) MODERATE
Cost & Community (7) HIGH

CPSC product recall notices

These national notices are not matched to this ZIP code or water system.

View all recalls →

📊 CPSC · View source →

Protect Your Home in Watson

Based on local data for ZIP 62473, these services may benefit homeowners in your area.

Based on local data for your area. Use the tools below to explore your options.

Gutter Installation & Repair

The median home in 62473 was built around 1988. Aging gutters can cause foundation damage, basement flooding, and mold - a professional assessment can prevent costly repairs.

Typical cost: Gutter installation: typically $1,000–$2,500 for a standard home

Estimate Your Home Maintenance Costs

Service recommendations are based on public data for this ZIP code (FEMA, Census ACS, NWS). Actual needs vary by property. By calling, your information will be shared with an independent service provider. ZipCheckup may receive compensation. Cost estimates are approximate and vary by property, condition, and contractor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water in 62473 safe to drink?

EPA SDWIS records 25 violations since 2021 across the water systems mapped to ZIP 62473 (primary system: Ej Water Cooperative), including 1 health-based. The violation table above shows which system each record belongs to. ZipCheckup last updated this page in July 2026. The federal source release date is unavailable, so that month is not presented as source currency.

Where does 62473's water come from?

The recorded water source for Ej Water Cooperative, a system mapped to ZIP code 62473, is Surface water. This system serves approximately 29,720 people.

How does Watson water compare to the national average?

Watson's Home Safety Score ranks lower than 51% of U.S. ZIP codes, and at or above 72% within Illinois.

How can I get my water tested in Watson?

If Ej Water Cooperative supplies your home, contact it for its Consumer Confidence Report; otherwise contact the water utility that serves your address, or hire a certified lab for independent home water testing. The EPA recommends annual testing if you use a private well.

Is lead a concern in 62473 tap water?

The Lead and Copper Rule record selected for 62473 reports a 90th-percentile lead result of 0.002 mg/L for a water system mapped to this ZIP (record date 2026-12-31). The EPA action level is 0.015 mg/L. This result is below the EPA action level; it does not show the lead level in each home.

What is the radon risk for 62473?

62473 is mapped to a county in EPA Radon Zone 2 (moderate county-level radon potential; EPA recommends testing every home), located in Effingham County. EPA radon zones range from Zone 1 (highest county-level potential) to Zone 3 (lowest). Testing your home is recommended regardless of zone.

Are there PFAS (forever chemicals) in 62473's water?

Yes, PFAS have been detected in samples from water systems mapped to 62473. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 specifically for PFOA/PFOS reduction can reduce PFAS.

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Watson, IL (62473): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 74/100. https://zipcheckup.com/report/62473/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-report-62473,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Watson, IL (62473): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 74/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/report/62473/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

Nearby ZIP Code Reports

Water quality comparison for ZIP codes near 62473

ZIP Code City, State Distance Grade Violations
62443 Mason, IL 3.9 mi B 27
62426 Edgewood, IL 8.4 mi N/A 26
62424 Dieterich, IL 8.6 mi B 24
62401 Effingham, IL 9.1 mi B 25
62467 Teutopolis, IL 10.7 mi B 24
62411 Altamont, IL 11.4 mi B 27
62479 Wheeler, IL 13.1 mi N/A 24
62461 Shumway, IL 14.4 mi B 24
62838 Farina, IL 14.8 mi N/A 24
62858 Louisville, IL 15.4 mi N/A 24

Contaminants Detected in 62473

Learn more about the contaminants found in your water supply:

Overall safety breakdown

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Coverage: 12/17 risk factors Data sources →
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