Health Violations Found IL 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Cicero

EPA ID: IL0310510 · 83,000 people served · 4 ZIP codes

Federal data shows 5 unresolved violations at Cicero — roughly 83,000 residents in the service area.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 69
Avg Safety Score
83,000
People Served
4
ZIP Codes Served
7
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.00703 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
5
Contaminants Flagged
$258K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Cicero Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$71,271
Median Household Income
212,625
Service Area Population
46%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
95%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Cicero serves a community with a median household income of $71,271 and an estimated 212,625 residents across its service area. Approximately 95% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 46% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Cicero's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
40th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Cook County, Illinois rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

125 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Lead
Pipe Material
0 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 100% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Cicero compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead and Copper Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Revised Total Coliform Rule at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Illinois

Aqua Illinois-kankakee
80,000 people
C 8 violations
Waukegan
87,149 people
C 4 violations
Bloomington
77,610 people
D 31 violations
Decatur
76,122 people
C 4 violations
Schaumburg
75,750 people
B 5 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $900
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $150
Total Estimated Cost $1,450

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,000
10 years
$10,000
20 years
$20,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,450 (one-time) vs. $10,000 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Cicero (EPA ID: IL0310510) is a community water system in Illinois that serves approximately 83,000 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (69/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 5 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
August 22, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 2, 2025 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Unresolved
February 19, 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 Yes
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 1 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 1 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
60804 0.00703 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by IL or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Cicero (IL0310510) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cicero water safe to drink?

Cicero has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Cicero serve?

Cicero serves approximately 83,000 people across 4 ZIP codes in Illinois.

Where does Cicero get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
(708) 656-3600
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.
Address
4949 W. Cermak Road, Cicero IL 60804

Contact information from Town of Cicero Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Purchased from another utility
Treated water purchased wholesale from another water system.
Disinfectant used
Chlorine
Treatment chemicals reported
chlorinefluoride

Source: Town of Cicero Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Source water assessment from Town of Cicero Consumer Confidence Report:
The Illinois EPA considers all surface water sources of community water supply to be susceptible to potential pollution problems. The very nature of surface water allows contaminants to migrate into the intake with no protection only dilution. This is the reason for mandatory treatment for all surface water supplies in Illinois.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Multi-stage
Multiple treatment stages — typically coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. Common for surface-water systems requiring removal of particulates, microorganisms, and dissolved organic compounds before disinfection.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorine
Fluoridation
Added at low levels per state or local public-health policy for dental health.
fluoride

Watershed exposure sources reported

Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.

AgricultureWildlifeStorm water runoffIndustrial activityStorage tanks

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Town of Cicero Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.

Samples collected
116

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead service line replacement plan from Town of Cicero Consumer Confidence Report:
Our Community Water Supply has developed a service line material inventory. Our system inventory contains lead service lines. Through comprehensive inspections and a thorough review of historical construction records, the Town has identified and documented areas with lead service lines.

Lead Service Line Replacement Tracker

This water utility's lead service line (LSL) replacement program is tracked from public Consumer Confidence Report filings. Email signup notifies subscribers when the utility files an updated replacement plan or progress milestone.

Get notified on replacement progress

Subscribers receive an email when this utility updates its LSL plan, files a milestone report, or adjusts replacement timelines. No marketing, no third-party sharing.

By submitting you agree to Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime via the link in any email.

Town of Cicero

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. LSL replacement-program data is sourced from public CCR filings published by the utility. Subscription notifications are based on automated parsing of subsequent CCR releases.

Learn more about Lead and Copper Rule replacement requirements →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

13,059
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
940
Unknown Material
667
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2025-07-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Reporting compliance issue flagged by EPA under Rule 2E.
Population served: 83,000
Reported to Illinois

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Notable events and violations

This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.

Federal compliance violations on record

These entries are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR violations section. EPA defines four broad violation categories: Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), Treatment Technique (TT), Monitoring & Reporting (M&R), and Public Notification (PN).

  • public notice
    2023-02-19
    We failed to adequately notify you, our drinking water consumers, about a violation of the drinking water regulations.

Violations record from Town of Cicero Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.

How Water Systems Appear in Rankings

Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Cicero safe to drink?
Cicero has a C safety grade based on 7 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Cicero's water?
Detected contaminants include Stage 2 DBP Rule, Lead and Copper Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Cicero serve?
Cicero serves approximately 83,000 people with drinking water across 4 ZIP codes.
What is Cicero's water source?
Cicero draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Cicero's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00703 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Cicero's service area?
The Cicero service area has a median household income of $71,271. EPA EJScreen data classifies 46% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Cicero get its water?
Cicero's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Cicero (EPA ID: IL0310510) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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