Elkhart Lake, WI Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Tap water monitoring data for Elkhart Lake shows a consistently clean picture in WI — few violations on record, compliance well above the median.
How Elkhart Lake Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Elkhart Lake Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 65% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.99 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Elkhart Lake
Federal drinking water records identify 2 systems in Elkhart Lake, WI. The leading 2 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 3,553 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Elkhart Lake — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Elkhart 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
Elkhart Lake water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0005 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53020 | B | Elkhart Lake Waterworks | 1,567 |
All ZIP Codes in Elkhart Lake
- 53020 [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 Elkhart 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 Elkhart Lake's Housing Stock?
With 65% 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
Elkhart Lake's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1975 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in Elkhart 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.
Elkhart Lake: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Remediation costs in Elkhart Lake are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Elkhart Lake are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 40% above the Wisconsin average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Elkhart 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.
If 65% of the Elkhart Lake inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Elkhart Lake, WI