F0/100

Waukesha Tap Water Quality: Is It Safe to Drink? (2026 Report)

Serving 70,718 residents · Wisconsin

What's In Waukesha's Tap Water?

73
Contaminants Tested
0
Exceed EPA Limits
2
Above EPA Goals
2 contaminants above EPA health goals
ContaminantDetectedLimit (MCL)Status
strontium
38890.00 µg/LAbove Goal
Lead (90th percentile)
< 0.001 mg/L0.015 mg/LAbove Goal

EPA Violation History

63

Violations (last 5yr)

2

Unresolved

48

Health-Related

TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: October 1, 2023 – October 15, 2023Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: October 1, 2023 – October 15, 2023Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Unresolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: September 29, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Unresolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: September 29, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: September 20, 2023 – January 24, 2024Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2023 – September 30, 2023Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2023 – September 30, 2023Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: April 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: April 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: April 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: April 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: March 6, 2023 – June 29, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: December 9, 2022 – March 1, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: December 9, 2022 – March 1, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: November 21, 2022 – March 1, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: November 21, 2022 – March 1, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: November 21, 2022 – March 1, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: November 21, 2022 – March 1, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: November 21, 2022 – March 1, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: October 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: October 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: October 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: October 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: October 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: April 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: April 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: April 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: April 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: April 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: April 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: January 1, 2022 – March 31, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: January 1, 2022 – March 31, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: January 1, 2022 – March 31, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: January 1, 2022 – March 31, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: January 1, 2022 – March 31, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: January 1, 2022 – March 31, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: December 21, 2021 – March 7, 2022Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: December 21, 2021 – March 7, 2022Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: December 21, 2021 – March 7, 2022Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: December 21, 2021 – March 7, 2022Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: October 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: October 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: October 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: October 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: October 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: October 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)

When: July 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021Enforcement: Formal — state order issued

Understanding violation severity

Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly

Water Utility Details

WAUKESHA WATER UTILITY
Population Served

70,718

Water Source

Purchased Surface Water

System ID

WI2680238

Frequently Asked Questions About Waukesha Water

Is Waukesha tap water safe to drink?

Waukesha, Wisconsin tap water receives a grade of F (0/100), which is considered failing. 0 contaminant(s) exceed EPA maximum contaminant levels and 381 violation(s) are on record. Residents should consider using an NSF-certified water filter to reduce contaminant exposure.

What contaminants are in Waukesha's water?

Of the 73 contaminants tested in Waukesha's water supply, the most notable include Lead (90th percentile), strontium. No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 2 contaminant(s) exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs), which are non-enforceable targets set at levels with no known health risk.

Does Waukesha have any water quality violations?

Yes, Waukesha has 381 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2023. Violation types include MCL, Other, MR. 317 of these are health-based violations, which are the most serious category.

Do I need a water filter in Waukesha?

Waukesha water meets EPA standards, so a filter is not strictly necessary. However, some residents prefer the added security of a water filter. EPA health goals (MCLGs) are stricter than legal limits and are set at levels with zero expected health risk. 2 contaminant(s) exceed these stricter goals.

Where does Waukesha's tap water come from?

Waukesha's drinking water is sourced from purchased surface water and supplied by WAUKESHA WATER UTILITY. The system serves approximately 70,718 people. Surface water sources include rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

How often is Waukesha's water tested?

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), water utilities are required to regularly test for over 90 contaminants. Testing frequency varies by contaminant — some are tested monthly, others quarterly or annually. Waukesha's water systems must report results to the EPA and publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The data on this page reflects the latest available EPA testing data.

How does Waukesha's water compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

Waukesha's water quality score of 0/100 earns a grade of F, which is considered failing. This is a concerning score that suggests significant water quality issues. Visit our Wisconsin state page to see how all cities in the state compare.

What should I do if I'm concerned about Waukesha's water quality?

If you have concerns about Waukesha's tap water, consider these steps: (1) Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for detailed local data. (2) Get your water independently tested through a state-certified laboratory. (3) Consider an NSF-certified water filter rated for the contaminants found in your area. (4) Contact your water utility (WAUKESHA WATER UTILITY) with specific questions. (5) Report water quality issues to your state drinking water program or the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

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