Racine, WI: 8 Health Violations — 79/100 (2026)
8 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Throughout Racine and across its water systems, EPA compliance data for WI shows above-average performance — violations are minimal, none of the tracked systems have recorded repeated MCL exceedances in recent cycles, and the safety picture has held steady across multiple reporting periods.
How Racine Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Racine, WI
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Racine.
Racine Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 112 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0057 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 80% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,450 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.54 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Racine
Water service in Racine, WI is split across 3 utilities out of 7 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 8 ZIP codes in Racine, Wisconsin (population ~127,813), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 230,023 people region-wide.
8 of 8 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 8 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Racine: B (79/100)
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
Racine water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0057 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 54 | 8 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 27 | 8 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 27 | 8 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 9 | 8 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 9 | 8 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53401 | B | 14 | 1 | Racine Waterworks |
| 53402 | B | 14 | 1 | Racine Waterworks |
| 53403 | B | 14 | 1 | Racine Waterworks |
| 53404 | B | 14 | 1 | Racine Waterworks |
| 53405 | B | 14 | 1 | Racine Waterworks |
| 53406 | B | 14 | 1 | Racine Waterworks |
| 53407 | B | 14 | 1 | Racine Waterworks |
| 53408 | B | 14 | 1 | Racine Waterworks |
All ZIP Codes in Racine
- 53401 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 53402 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 53403 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 53404 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 53405 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 53406 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 53407 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 53408 [B] — 14 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.
CDC Health Data for Racine
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Racine
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Racine's Housing Stock?
With 80% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Racine, where the median build year is 1964, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Racine 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.
Racine: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Racine, the resulting ratio is low — a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in Racine are relatively low compared to home values. The $650–$2,525 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 25% below the Wisconsin average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Racine
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.
Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 80% of Racine stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Racine
Although Racine's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 82 claims and FEMA maps place 63% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones — a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.
Racine has a moderate flood history with 82 FEMA claims averaging $8,584 per payout. 63% 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>$1,450</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Racine, WI