Milwaukee, WI: Lead Above EPA Limits - 82/100
42 ZIP codes · 14 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Milwaukee: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Milwaukee tap water earns a high safety grade - above-average compliance with WI and federal standards.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS
Key Facts for Milwaukee Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 42 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.007 mg/L.
Water Quality in Milwaukee
We track home safety signals for 42 ZIP codes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 28 ZIP codes and 14 water systems.
6 of 28 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (21%) have recorded EPA violations - 42 total, including 4 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: B (82/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 15 | 2 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 15 | 3 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 4 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | 3 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | 3 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0070 mg/L
- 2 of 28 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
- 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:
- 2,374 flood insurance claims on record
- $27,592,853 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
- 1,903 claims with payment data
- 471 claims without reported payment fields
- $14,500 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
- Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: X (other)
- 13 of 28 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
- Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone among 42 ZIP records with zone data: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53202 | 83/100 | B | 0 |
| 53203 | 83/100 | B | 0 |
| 53204 | 83/100 | B | 0 |
| 53205 | 83/100 | B | 0 |
| 53206 | 83/100 | B | 0 |
| 53207 | 83/100 | B | 1 |
| 53208 | 83/100 | B | 0 |
| 53209 | 83/100 | B | 0 |
| 53210 | 83/100 | B | 0 |
| 53212 | 83/100 | B | 0 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53217 | 67/100 | C | 17 |
| 53211 | 67/100 | C | 16 |
| 53221 | 81/100 | B | 4 |
| 53295 | 83/100 | B | 0 |
| 53233 | 83/100 | B | 0 |
| 53228 | 83/100 | B | 2 |
| 53227 | 83/100 | B | 0 |
| 53226 | 83/100 | B | 0 |
| 53225 | 83/100 | B | 0 |
| 53224 | 83/100 | B | 0 |
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
- 53202 [B]
- 53203 [B]
- 53204 [B]
- 53205 [B]
- 53206 [B]
- 53207 [B] - 1 violation
- 53208 [B]
- 53209 [B]
- 53210 [B]
- 53211 [C] - 16 violations ⚠
- 53212 [B]
- 53213 [B]
- 53214 [B]
- 53215 [B]
- 53216 [B]
- 53217 [C] - 17 violations ⚠
- 53218 [B]
- 53219 [B]
- 53220 [B] - 2 violations
- 53221 [B] - 4 violations
- 53222 [B]
- 53223
- 53224 [B]
- 53225 [B]
- 53226 [B]
- 53227 [B]
- 53228 [B] - 2 violations
- 53233 [B]
- 53234
- 53237
- 53244
- 53259
- 53263
- 53267
- 53268
- 53274
- 53278
- 53288
- 53290
- 53293
- 53295 [B]
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Milwaukee, WI?
The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. Milwaukee has an average score of 82/100 (grade B) across 28 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 42 recorded EPA violations across 28 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 4 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.
Does Milwaukee have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Milwaukee is 0.0070 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 2 of 28 ZIP codes with known action-level status exceed the EPA limit. About 85% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Milwaukee at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 2,374 flood insurance claim records in Milwaukee ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $14,500 among 1,903 claims with payment data. 471 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 28 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 13 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.
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 Stage 1 DBP Rule, Lead and Copper Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Across 28 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 6 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
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.
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.
<strong>2 ZIP codes</strong> (5% of the city) exceed the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Milwaukee: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Milwaukee contains 2,374 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $14,500. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 46% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Milwaukee, WI