Water System Report IL

Downers Grove

EPA ID: IL0430300 · 49,425 people served · 8 ZIP codes

Federal monitoring spanning five full years has produced zero violations at Downers Grove — a clean record across every reporting cycle for a utility serving approximately 49,425 residents.

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

B · 73
Avg Safety Score
49,425
People Served
8
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0021 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
0
Contaminants Flagged
$388K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Downers Grove Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$105,174
Median Household Income
229,196
Service Area Population
8%
Disadvantaged Population
20th
Poverty Percentile
10th
Energy Burden Percentile
72%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Downers Grove serves a community with a median household income of $105,174 and an estimated 229,196 residents across its service area. Approximately 72% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Downers Grove'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.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
70th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
70th
Superfund Site Proximity

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

Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points. Surface water sources near wastewater outfalls may face additional treatment challenges.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.

Infrastructure Risk

54 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
15 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 78% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 1 detection recorded. 1 exceeds federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 1 exceeds state limits.

State limits: PFOA: 0.002 ppt, PFOS: 0.014 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Illinois

Plainfield
50,000 people
B 7 violations
Hoffman Estates
50,179 people
B 0 violations
Romeoville
50,458 people
B 0 violations
Glenview
47,856 people
D 5 violations
O Fallon
46,603 people
B 2 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,350
Radon Mitigation $500
PFAS Treatment $75
Water Filtration $38
Total Estimated Cost $1,963

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:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$165
10 years
$330
20 years
$660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,963 (one-time) vs. $330 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

Downers Grove (EPA ID: IL0430300) is a community water system in Illinois that serves approximately 49,425 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 8 ZIP codes across 7 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: B (73/100)

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

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
60515 0.0021 mg/L No N/A
60516 0.0021 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 Downers Grove (IL0430300) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Downers Grove water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Downers Grove has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Downers Grove serve?

Downers Grove serves approximately 49,425 people across 8 ZIP codes in Illinois.

Where does Downers Grove get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

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
58

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 Inventory

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

802
Confirmed Lead
146
Galvanized — Replacement Required
2,173
Unknown Material
13,927
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.
Population served: 49,425
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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Downers Grove safe to drink?
Downers Grove earns a B safety grade with 0 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
Should I use a water filter?
Downers Grove meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Downers Grove serve?
Downers Grove serves approximately 49,425 people with drinking water across 8 ZIP codes.
What is Downers Grove's water source?
Downers Grove draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Downers Grove's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0021 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Downers Grove's service area?
The Downers Grove service area has a median household income of $105,174. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Downers Grove get its water?
Downers Grove'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 available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.
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