Appleton, WI: 18 Violations — 65/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 15 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to top-scoring cities in WI, Appleton lands in the middle tier — some water systems meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and performance can vary significantly across service areas.
How Appleton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Appleton, WI
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Appleton score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Appleton Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 18 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.011 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 58% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,283 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.21 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Appleton
Multiple utilities divide Appleton, WI's water service — 3 leading providers among 15 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Appleton, Wisconsin (population ~125,681), covering 15 community water systems serving approximately 195,967 people region-wide.
6 of 6 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Appleton: C (65/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Appleton water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0110 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 6 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 6 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 7 | 6 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54911 | C | 3 | 0 | Appleton Waterworks |
| 54912 | C | 3 | 0 | Appleton Waterworks |
| 54913 | C | 3 | 0 | Appleton Waterworks |
| 54914 | C | 3 | 0 | Appleton Waterworks |
| 54915 | C | 3 | 0 | Appleton Waterworks |
| 54919 | C | 3 | 0 | Appleton Waterworks |
All ZIP Codes in Appleton
- 54911 [C] — 3 violations
- 54912 [C] — 3 violations
- 54913 [C] — 3 violations
- 54914 [C] — 3 violations
- 54915 [C] — 3 violations
- 54919 [C] — 3 violations
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Appleton
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Appleton Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Appleton
With 58% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The character of Appleton's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1980 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Appleton were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Appleton Homeowners
Equity impact data for Appleton lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Appleton are relatively low compared to home values. The $583–$2,133 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 7% above the Wisconsin average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Appleton
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Appleton have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 58% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Appleton
25 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Appleton, and 67% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Appleton has a moderate flood history with 25 FEMA claims averaging $7,626 per payout. 67% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,283</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Appleton
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Appleton's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 58% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Appleton, WI