Milwaukee, WI: 84 Health Violations - 77/100 (2026)
42 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Milwaukee: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (84 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Milwaukee tap water earns a high safety grade - above-average compliance with WI and federal standards.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
Key Facts for Milwaukee Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 1722 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0053 mg/L.
Water Quality in Milwaukee
We track water quality and home safety data for 42 ZIP codes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 785,981 people.
42 of 42 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 1,722 total, including 84 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: B (77/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 630 | 42 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 336 | 42 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 252 | 42 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 168 | 42 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 126 | 42 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0053 mg/L
- 85% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 41% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1944
- Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 72/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 25%
- 28 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 85% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Milwaukee residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
361,182 total housing units across 42 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 115,443 | 32% |
| 1940–1949 | 37,508 | 10% |
| 1950–1959 | 71,915 | 20% |
| 1960–1969 | 43,065 | 12% |
| 1970–1979 | 36,863 | 10% |
| 1980–1989 | 17,070 | 5% |
| 1990–1999 | 14,233 | 4% |
| 2000–2009 | 12,910 | 4% |
| 2010–2019 | 11,553 | 3% |
| 2020+ | 622 | 0% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Milwaukee:
- 2,362 flood insurance claims on record
- $26,533,589 total paid out
- $11,234 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
- 10 of 42 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 42 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53201 | 80/100 | B | 41 |
| 53202 | 80/100 | B | 41 |
| 53203 | 80/100 | B | 41 |
| 53204 | 80/100 | B | 41 |
| 53205 | 80/100 | B | 41 |
| 53206 | 80/100 | B | 41 |
| 53207 | 80/100 | B | 41 |
| 53210 | 80/100 | B | 41 |
| 53212 | 80/100 | B | 41 |
| 53214 | 80/100 | B | 41 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53218 | 65/100 | C | 41 |
| 53217 | 65/100 | C | 41 |
| 53209 | 65/100 | C | 41 |
| 53223 | 70/100 | B | 41 |
| 53216 | 70/100 | B | 41 |
| 53213 | 70/100 | B | 41 |
| 53227 | 75/100 | B | 41 |
| 53226 | 75/100 | B | 41 |
| 53225 | 75/100 | B | 41 |
| 53224 | 75/100 | B | 41 |
What Milwaukee Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Milwaukee has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Test for Radon
- Milwaukee is in a moderate-risk radon area
- Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
- If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Milwaukee
- 53201 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53202 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53203 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53204 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53205 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53206 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53207 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53208 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53209 [C] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53210 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53211 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53212 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53213 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53214 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53215 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53216 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53217 [C] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53218 [C] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53219 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53220 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53221 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53222 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53223 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53224 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53225 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53226 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53227 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53228 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53233 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53234 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53237 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53244 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53259 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53263 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53267 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53268 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53274 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53278 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53288 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53290 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53293 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
- 53295 [B] - 41 violations ⚠
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Milwaukee, WI?
Milwaukee has an average Home Safety Score of 77/100 (grade B) across 42 ZIP codes. There are 1722 recorded EPA violations, 84 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Milwaukee have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Milwaukee is 0.0053 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 85% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Milwaukee at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 2,362 flood insurance claims in Milwaukee ZIP codes, with an average payout of $11,234. 10 of 42 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Milwaukee homes?
85% of Milwaukee housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 41% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 25%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Milwaukee water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Lead and Copper Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule. Across 42 ZIP codes, 42 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Milwaukee Infrastructure Age
Median build year of 1944 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Milwaukee has a newer housing profile - median build year 1944, placing most homes after the 1986 lead-solder ban.
Most homes in Milwaukee were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Milwaukee: 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.
Lead risk in Milwaukee 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.
Milwaukee: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood activity in Milwaukee is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 2362-claim record and 0% 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.
Milwaukee has a moderate flood history with 2,362 FEMA claims. 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.
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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Milwaukee, WI