St Elmo
EPA ID: IL0510250 · 1,272 people served · 2 ZIP codes
Across every monitored period in the past five years, St Elmo reported no EPA violations for its service population of 1,272.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for St Elmo Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The St Elmo serves a community with a median household income of $52,934 and an estimated 3,801 residents across its service area. Approximately 75% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 41% 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?
St Elmo'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.
About 0% of homes in Effingham 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
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 2 detections recorded.
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Illinois
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
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.
System Overview
St Elmo (EPA ID: IL0510250) is a community water system in Illinois that serves approximately 1,272 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (58/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62458 | 0.0127 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 FilterFree 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 St Elmo (IL0510250) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St Elmo water safe to drink?
Based on EPA records, St Elmo has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.
How many people does St Elmo serve?
St Elmo serves approximately 1,272 people across 2 ZIP codes in Illinois.
Where does St Elmo get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
St Elmo (EPA ID: IL0510250) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.