Water Quality in Madison, WI: 62 Violations - Grade N/A
16 water systems · 14 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 62 violations across 14 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Madison. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Madison
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53705 | 37 | 2 | View report → |
| 53717 | 32 | 2 | View report → |
| 53719 | 9 | 2 | View report → |
| 53704 | 8 | 1 | View report → |
| 53714 | 8 | 1 | View report → |
| 53718 | 8 | 4 | View report → |
| 53711 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 53713 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 53703 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 53706 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 53715 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 53716 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 53726 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 53792 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Madison.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 19 | 19 |
Water Quality Overview
Madison, Wisconsin has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 14 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 62 violations, including 6 health-based violations across 14 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Madison water systems is 0.0031 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 14 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 61% of homes built before 1986, Madison has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Madison
Madison is served by 16 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 308,771 people across 35 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 81 enforcement actions against water systems serving Madison. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Madison
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Madison Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Madison's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 23 | 14 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 21 | 14 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 9 | 3 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 3 | 2 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 3 | 2 | No |
| Benzene | Organic | 0.005 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 2 | 1 | No |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 0.1 mg/L | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 5 pCi/L | 1 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Madison:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 19 | 19 |
Violations have increased from 1 in 2023 to 19 in 2024. This trend warrants monitoring.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 46 enforcement actions against water systems serving Madison. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-09-09 | EPA Formal Action |
| 2025-07-21 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-06-18 | EPA Informal Action |
| 2025-06-05 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-06-04 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-05-29 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-05-19 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-02-24 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-01-28 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-01-24 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-09-09.
Madison vs. Nearby Wisconsin Cities
How Madison's water quality compares to similar cities in Wisconsin:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | 14 | 62 | 16 | 308,771 |
| Green Bay | 7 | 22 | 11 | 188,379 |
| Racine | 5 | 50 | 6 | 127,813 |
| Appleton | 4 | 27 | 11 | 125,681 |
Recommended Water Filters for Madison
Based on contaminants detected in Madison's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Reverse Osmosis (under-sink)
- Removes: Copper
- Effectiveness: 95-99%
- Cost range: $150–$500
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 58
- Recommended products:
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Madison
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Madison's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 53705 | 37 | 2 |
| 53717 | 32 | 2 |
| 53719 | 9 | 2 |
| 53704 | 8 | 1 |
| 53714 | 8 | 1 |
| 53718 | 8 | 4 |
| 53711 | 3 | 1 |
| 53713 | 3 | 1 |
| 53703 | 2 | 1 |
| 53706 | 2 | 1 |
| 53715 | 2 | 1 |
| 53716 | 2 | 1 |
| 53726 | 2 | 1 |
| 53792 | 2 | 1 |
Common Questions About Madison Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Madison, Wisconsin:
Is Madison water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Madison's 16 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Madison tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 6 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Madison? Based on detected contaminants, a reverse osmosis (under-sink) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Madison vs. Wisconsin Average
Understanding how Madison compares to the broader Wisconsin average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Madison.
ZIP Codes in Madison
Madison spans 35 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 14 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.