Ripon, WI: Lead Above EPA Limits — 44/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Ripon ranks below average for tap water safety in WI — health-based violations are documented across multiple service areas in recent EPA monitoring data.
How Ripon Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Ripon Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 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: 75% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $7,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.66 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Ripon
Federal drinking water records identify 2 systems in Ripon, WI. The leading 2 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ripon, Wisconsin, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 10,783 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ripon: D (44/100)
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
Ripon 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 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54971 | D | 2 | 1 | Ripon Water Utility |
All ZIP Codes in Ripon
- 54971 [D] — 2 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.
Health Outcomes in Ripon
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
Top Contaminants in Ripon Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Ripon
With 75% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Ripon is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1963 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Ripon 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Ripon Homeowners
The cost-to-equity ratio for remediation in Ripon is elevated — the financial planning challenge here is real and significant.
At 4.3% of home value, remediation costs in Ripon represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $5,150–$10,600. Home values here are 21% below the Wisconsin average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Ripon
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.
Despite Lead and Copper Rule oversight at the utility tier, citywide samples in Ripon have moved beyond 0.015 mg/L — and 75% of local stock predates the ban on solder containing lead. The high-pre-1986 share combined with above-action samples leaves an in-home test and certified filtration via retailer networks as the household-tier tools, available for families with kids or pregnant residents. Periodic retesting after plumbing work or extended stagnation captures changes the initial draw cannot.
<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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Ripon
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Ripon accumulating 3 claims and carrying 100% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Ripon has a moderate flood history with 3 FEMA claims averaging $33,558 per payout. 100% 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>$7,800</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.
What You Can Do in Ripon
- 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 2 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Ripon's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 75% 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 Ripon, WI