Crete
EPA ID: IL1970300 · 8,275 people served · 4 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Crete (IL1970300): 14 EPA violations in the last five years. In the five-year tracking period, Crete filed 14 violations - each has been cleared, and the utility now meets all federal standards for its 8,275 residents.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Crete Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary - Grade B
Service Area Demographics
The Crete serves a community with a median household income of $78,287 and an estimated 39,704 residents across its service area. Approximately 68% 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?
Crete'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.
Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Crete compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Mercury at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.002 mg/L. Kidney damage, neurological impairment. Consider activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Cadmium at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.005 mg/L. Kidney damage accumulating over lifetime; probable carcinogen. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Selenium at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.05 mg/L. Hair & nail loss, nerve damage, liver & kidney damage. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Chromium at 1 mg/L (total chromium; California Cr-6 MCL = 0.010 mg/L) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.1 mg/L (total chromium; California Cr-6 MCL = 0.010 mg/L). Stomach & intestinal cancer (known carcinogen). Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 2 detections recorded.
Mercury was detected in this water system. activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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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
Crete (EPA ID: IL1970300) is a community water system in Illinois that serves approximately 8,275 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.
ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: B (77/100)
This is the average Home Safety Score for 1 of 4 service-area ZIP codes with all required score domains observed. It is not a grade for the water utility.
Model 4.0.0 uses SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the UCMR 5 PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AirData AQI across three equally weighted domains. Missing required evidence suppresses the score.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 1 resolved, 13 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2024 | Copper | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2024 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Nitrite | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Mercury | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 1045 | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 1085 | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Chromium | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Barium | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 1075 | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Selenium | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Cadmium | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Nickel | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 1036 | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Fluoride | Non-health-based | Archived |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Cadmium | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Chromium | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Fluoride | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Selenium | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Nitrite | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 1036 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Copper | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 1045 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Mercury | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 1075 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 1085 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0026 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
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 Crete (IL1970300) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crete water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Crete; its 14 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does Crete serve?
Crete serves approximately 8,275 people across 4 ZIP codes in Illinois.
Where does Crete get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
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.
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 →
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Crete (IL): 14 EPA Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/il1970300/
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url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/il1970300/}
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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
Crete (EPA ID: IL1970300) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.