Madison, WI: 105 Health Violations — 60/100 (2026)
35 ZIP codes · 11 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current EPA data, Madison, WI reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Madison Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Madison, WI
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Madison score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Madison Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 385 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0018 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.18.
Who Supplies Your Water in Madison
With 3 utilities splitting service in Madison, WI, water accountability is distributed across 11 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 35 ZIP codes in Madison, Wisconsin, covering 11 community water systems serving approximately 308,771 people.
35 of 35 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 105 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Madison: C (60/100)
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
Madison water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0018 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 35 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 144 | 35 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 108 | 35 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 72 | 35 |
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 36 | 35 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 36 | 35 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53701 | C | 11 | 3 | Madison Water Utility |
| 53702 | C | 11 | 3 | Madison Water Utility |
| 53703 | C | 11 | 3 | Madison Water Utility |
| 53704 | C | 11 | 3 | Madison Water Utility |
| 53705 | C | 11 | 3 | Madison Water Utility |
| 53706 | C | 11 | 3 | Madison Water Utility |
| 53707 | C | 11 | 3 | Madison Water Utility |
| 53708 | C | 11 | 3 | Madison Water Utility |
| 53711 | C | 11 | 3 | Madison Water Utility |
| 53713 | C | 11 | 3 | Madison Water Utility |
All ZIP Codes in Madison
- 53701 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53702 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53703 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53704 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53705 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53706 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53707 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53708 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53711 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53713 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53714 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53715 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53716 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53717 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53718 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53719 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53725 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53726 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53744 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53774 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53777 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53778 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53779 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53782 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53783 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53784 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53785 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53786 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53788 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53789 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53790 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53791 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53792 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53793 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 53794 [C] — 11 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.
Health Outcomes in Madison
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
Top Contaminants in Madison Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Madison Homeowners
In Madison, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small — not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Madison are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,491–$3,914 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 68% above the Wisconsin average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Madison
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.
Lead risk in Madison appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Madison
The NFIP claim record for Madison — 112 filed incidents — reflects genuine, recurring flood exposure rather than an isolated event or two. When a community accumulates flood claims at this volume and carries 29% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated zones, flood history starts to factor into water quality planning in ways it doesn't for lower-exposure areas. Flooding introduces specific contamination pathways — runoff overwhelming treatment facility intake, surface water infiltrating private wells, and pressure disruptions in distribution systems allowing backflow — all of which become more relevant as flood frequency increases.
Madison has a moderate flood history with 112 FEMA claims averaging $12,279 per payout. 29% 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>$2,400</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 Madison
- 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 Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Madison's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Madison, WI