Monitoring Violations IL

Cambridge

EPA ID: IL0730300 · 2,086 people served · 4 ZIP codes

With 3 unresolved EPA violations, Cambridge is currently out of full compliance — approximately 2,086 people in its service area.

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

D · 53
Avg Safety Score
2,086
People Served
4
ZIP Codes Served
3
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.025 mg/L
Max Lead Level — Exceeds Limit
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
3
Contaminants Flagged
$174K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 1 (2024) to 1 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$82,521
Median Household Income
16,100
Service Area Population
31%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
83%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Cambridge serves a community with a median household income of $82,521 and an estimated 16,100 residents across its service area. Approximately 83% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 31% 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?

Groundwater

Cambridge's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
60th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Henry 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 60th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

Infrastructure Risk

72 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
11 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 87% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Cambridge compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 1 detection recorded.

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

Richmond
2,087 people
D 0 violations
Carrier Mills
2,085 people
B 2 violations
Ej Water-mcwc
2,075 people
0 violations
Prophetstown
2,100 people
D 7 violations
Elmwood
2,058 people
B 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Lead Pipe Replacement Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Lead Pipe Replacement $1,035
Flood Insurance $600
PFAS Treatment $125
Water Filtration $75
Total Estimated Cost $3,035

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 $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Lead Exposure — Child Lifetime Cost $10,000

Per affected child (EPA est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,445
10 years
$10,890
20 years
$21,780

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,035 (one-time) vs. $10,890 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

Cambridge (EPA ID: IL0730300) is a community water system in Illinois that serves approximately 2,086 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: D (53/100)

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

Violation History

3 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 2, 2025 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 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
61262 0.025 mg/L Yes N/A
61238 0.0047 mg/L No N/A
61274 0.003 mg/L No N/A
Lead exceeds EPA action level in at least one sampling location. Consider using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 filter rated for lead removal.

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High 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 Cambridge (IL0730300) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cambridge water safe to drink?

Cambridge has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Cambridge serve?

Cambridge serves approximately 2,086 people across 4 ZIP codes in Illinois.

Where does Cambridge get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Lead Service Line Inventory

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

281
Confirmed Lead
25
Galvanized — Replacement Required
170
Unknown Material
470
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: 2,086
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 Cambridge safe to drink?
Cambridge has a D safety grade based on 3 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Cambridge's water?
Detected contaminants include Surface Water Treatment Rule, Stage 1 DBP Rule, Stage 2 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 3 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 Cambridge serve?
Cambridge serves approximately 2,086 people with drinking water across 4 ZIP codes.
What is Cambridge's water source?
Cambridge draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Cambridge's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.025 mg/L. This exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. A lead-certified filter is recommended, especially for homes with young children.
What is the demographic profile of Cambridge's service area?
The Cambridge service area has a median household income of $82,521. EPA EJScreen data classifies 31% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Cambridge get its water?
Cambridge's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. 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

Cambridge (EPA ID: IL0730300) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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