Mount Sterling, WI: Lead Above EPA Limits — 28/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Systems across Mount Sterling show elevated violation counts against WI benchmarks — the low safety grade reflects that ongoing compliance pattern.
How Mount Sterling Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Mount Sterling Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 10 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.028 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 89% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $7,140 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.73 — above typical levels.
Mount Sterling's Water Providers
Water service in Mount Sterling, WI is organized around a single utility — one of 1 tracked by regulator, and the one that manages the local distribution network while holding primary responsibility for EPA compliance reporting.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Mount Sterling, Wisconsin (population ~114), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 206 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mount Sterling: F (28/100)
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
Mount Sterling water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0280 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 ZIP code 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Chlorine residual | Disinfectant | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54645 | F | 10 | 4 | Mount Sterling Waterworks |
All ZIP Codes in Mount Sterling
- 54645 [F] — 10 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.
Mount Sterling Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Mount Sterling's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Mount Sterling Infrastructure Age
With 89% 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
Housing age is one of the most reliable proxies for plumbing-era lead risk, because two federal milestones — the widespread use of lead pipes before 1970 and the continued use of lead solder until 1986 — define the highest-risk tiers of the residential housing stock. With a median build year of 1941, Mount Sterling falls squarely within the older range — meaning a large fraction of the housing was built under the plumbing standards of those earlier eras. The distribution above captures where that risk concentrates, and why older neighborhoods warrant particular attention from residents concerned about tap water quality.
Over half of homes in Mount Sterling 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Mount Sterling
Given current Mount Sterling property values, the remediation-to-equity ratio falls in the elevated tier — deliberate financial planning is a meaningful factor in how homeowners approach the documented water and safety issues on record here.
At 5.5% of home value, remediation costs in Mount Sterling represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $4,660–$10,120. Home values here are 44% below the Wisconsin average.
Mount Sterling: 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.
Buildings from the era when federal rules still permitted solder containing lead make up 89% of the Mount Sterling inventory. Citywide utility readings sit beyond 0.015 mg/L, indicating system-level concentrations past the regulatory action mark. Two independent indicators align here — a majority of buildings carry older interior plumbing, while aggregate readings have moved past the federal benchmark. A household kit and certified filtration via retailer-verified channels are the standard tools available locally.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (100% of the city) exceeds 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.
What You Can Do in Mount Sterling
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Mount Sterling's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 89% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Mount Sterling, WI