Jefferson, WI: 8 Health Violations - Home Safety 61/100
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Jefferson: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (8 health-based violations). NSF certified filters →
The C shown for Jefferson, WI is an average of Home Safety Scores across the city's ZIP codes; that composite blends several data sources, so it can move for reasons unrelated to water, and it is not a measurement of what comes out of any tap in the city.
How Jefferson Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Jefferson Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 19 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.013 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 64% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $600 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 12.75.
Water Systems Serving Jefferson
Service in Jefferson, WI can differ by address: 4 water systems are tied to the area in federal records, and the 3 largest are listed with their violation records.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Jefferson, Wisconsin (population ~9,901), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 23,767 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 8 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Jefferson: C (61/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Jefferson water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0130 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Radium (-226 and -228) | Radionuclides | 14 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 8 | 1 |
| Combined Uranium | Radionuclides | 6 | 1 |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53549 | C | 19 | 8 | Jefferson Waterworks |
All ZIP Codes in Jefferson
- 53549 [C] - 19 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Jefferson
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Jefferson
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Jefferson's Housing Stock?
With 64% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
If you live in one of the pre-1986 homes in Jefferson, a certified lab test for lead is the direct way to learn what your tap delivers; the median build year of 1979 is only context.
Over half of homes in Jefferson were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Jefferson: Remediation Cost in Perspective
This section sets two area figures side by side for Jefferson: the median home value and an estimated remediation cost. Here the estimate equals no more than 1% of that value, which places the city in the low tier; it is an area estimate, and the cost for any one property can be higher or lower.
Estimated remediation costs in Jefferson can be compared with local home values. The $300–$1,500 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 7% above the Wisconsin average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Jefferson
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
A tap test is worth considering in Jefferson, where area lead results average at least 10 parts per billion and 64% of homes are older than 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Jefferson
Historical NFIP data for Jefferson contains 48 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $58,448. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The $600 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Jefferson
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Consider testing your home's tap water for lead, since household plumbing can affect its level.
- Install a certified water filter. For Combined Radium (-226 and -228), listed in the water-quality records for Jefferson: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 64% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Jefferson, WI