Balsam Lake, WI Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water utilities in Balsam Lake have maintained a consistent compliance record over recent monitoring periods — the city's above-average grade in WI reflects low violation rates and no systemic health concerns flagged in current data.
How Balsam Lake Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Balsam Lake Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 56% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.5 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Balsam Lake
Balsam Lake, WI is covered by 2 major water utilities out of 2 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 2,911 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Balsam Lake — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Balsam Lake: B (83/100)
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
Balsam Lake water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54810 | B | Balsam Lake Waterworks | 1,031 |
All ZIP Codes in Balsam Lake
- 54810 [B]
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.
CDC Health Data for Balsam Lake
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
How Old Is Balsam Lake's Housing Stock?
With 56% 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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Balsam Lake's median build year of 1970 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Balsam Lake 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.
Balsam Lake: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Equity impact data for Balsam Lake lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Balsam Lake are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 12% above the Wisconsin average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Balsam Lake
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.
Routinely in Balsam Lake, where 56% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Balsam Lake
Flood risk in Balsam Lake occupies the middle ground: 1 NFIP claim and 100% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality — treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow — become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.
Balsam Lake has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims. 100% 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>$2,200</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Balsam Lake, WI