Kewaskum, WI: High Radon Risk — 69/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current EPA data, Kewaskum, WI reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Kewaskum Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Kewaskum Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0054 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 52% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.43 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Kewaskum
Kewaskum, WI draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 3 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Kewaskum, Wisconsin (population ~8,223), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 37,886 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Kewaskum — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Kewaskum: C (69/100)
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
Kewaskum water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0054 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53040 | C | Kewaskum Waterworks | 4,309 |
All ZIP Codes in Kewaskum
- 53040 [C]
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 Kewaskum
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 Kewaskum's Housing Stock?
With 52% 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
Reading the housing age data for Kewaskum — median build year 1986 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Kewaskum 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.
Kewaskum: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Setting Kewaskum remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier — a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in Kewaskum are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,000–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 35% above the Wisconsin average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Kewaskum
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.
52% of Kewaskum housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Kewaskum
Flood activity in Kewaskum is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 5-claim record and 100% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Kewaskum has a moderate flood history with 5 FEMA claims averaging $11,394 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>$3,000</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 Kewaskum
- 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 52% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Kewaskum, WI