Kenosha, WI: 35 Health Violations — 68/100 (2026)
5 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems across Kenosha produce average compliance results for WI overall — pockets with documented violations exist, and the variation between areas makes checking the specific system serving a given address the most useful step for residents here.
How Kenosha Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Kenosha, WI
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Kenosha's 5 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Kenosha Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 145 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0078 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 70% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,320 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13 — above typical levels.
Kenosha's Water Providers
Water delivery in Kenosha, WI is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 8 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Kenosha, Wisconsin, covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 111,872 people.
5 of 5 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 35 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Kenosha: C (68/100)
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
Kenosha water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0078 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): 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 48 | 5 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 42 | 5 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 24 | 5 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 24 | 5 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 18 | 5 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53140 | C | 29 | 7 | Kenosha Water Utility |
| 53141 | C | 29 | 7 | Kenosha Water Utility |
| 53142 | C | 29 | 7 | Kenosha Water Utility |
| 53143 | C | 29 | 7 | Kenosha Water Utility |
| 53144 | C | 29 | 7 | Kenosha Water Utility |
All ZIP Codes in Kenosha
- 53140 [C] — 29 violations ⚠
- 53141 [C] — 29 violations ⚠
- 53142 [C] — 29 violations ⚠
- 53143 [C] — 29 violations ⚠
- 53144 [C] — 29 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.
Kenosha Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Kenosha's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Kenosha Infrastructure Age
With 70% 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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Kenosha's housing stock carries a median build year of 1967. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Kenosha 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Kenosha
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Kenosha is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.
Remediation costs in Kenosha are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,180–$4,240 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 7% above the Wisconsin average.
Kenosha: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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 Kenosha, where 70% 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.
Kenosha: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Kenosha, that record documents 31 claims and 100% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.
Kenosha has a moderate flood history with 31 FEMA claims averaging $11,137 per payout. 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>$2,320</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 Kenosha
- 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. Filters rated for Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Kenosha's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 70% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Kenosha, WI