Harshaw, WI Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
A meaningful share of water systems in Harshaw have recorded health-based violations in recent WI monitoring periods — placing the city in the lower tier for tap water safety.
How Harshaw Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Harshaw Water
- Homes built before 1986: 53% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.28 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Harshaw
With one provider handling most of Harshaw's residential supply in WI, water service accountability is concentrated in a single utility among the 1 system on record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Harshaw, Wisconsin, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,199 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Harshaw — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Harshaw: D (53/100)
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
Harshaw water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Harshaw
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54529 | D | MCNAUGHTON CORRECTIONAL CENTER | 133 |
All ZIP Codes in Harshaw
- 54529 [D]
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 Harshaw
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Harshaw
With 53% 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 lead that enters tap water in older homes often comes not from the municipal supply but from the home's own plumbing — from solder used in copper joints before the 1986 federal ban, or from lead pipes installed before 1970. In Harshaw, where the median build year is 1985, these older materials are widespread. More than half the residential stock predates the 1986 solder ban, and a significant fraction predates 1970 as well. For residents in those homes, the city-wide water quality picture is a less relevant frame than the specific materials inside their own walls and under their own street.
Over half of homes in Harshaw 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 Harshaw Homeowners
Placing remediation in the context of Harshaw's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Harshaw are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 14% above the Wisconsin average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Harshaw
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.
Households with kids in the home — for whom CDC guidance places particular weight on minimizing exposure — face a specific local picture in Harshaw. 53% of homes here come from the pre-rule era, and aggregate utility samples either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L. A baseline draw-test kit and certified lead-removal filtration are available via retailer networks for households confirming conditions at a specific tap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Harshaw
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 53% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Harshaw, WI