Water Quality in South Milwaukee, WI: 1 Violation - Grade N/A
1 water system · 1 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 1 violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for South Milwaukee. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in South Milwaukee
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53172 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
South Milwaukee, Wisconsin has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 1 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 1 violation (all classified as monitoring/reporting type in the available record) across 1 directly mapped ZIP record with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across South Milwaukee water systems is 0.0077 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 1 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 85% of homes built before 1986, South Milwaukee has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving South Milwaukee
South Milwaukee is served by 1 community water system regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 20,547 people across 1 ZIP code.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 8 enforcement actions against water systems serving South Milwaukee. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in South Milwaukee
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 8 enforcement actions against water systems serving South Milwaukee. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-03-13 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-03-13 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2024-06-28 | State Informal Action |
| 2023-07-28 | State Order Extension |
| 2021-04-28 | State Informal Action |
| 2021-04-28 | State Order Extension |
| 2021-04-21 | State Informal Action |
| 2021-04-21 | State Informal Enforcement |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-03-13.
South Milwaukee vs. Nearby Wisconsin Cities
How South Milwaukee's water quality compares to similar cities in Wisconsin:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Milwaukee | 1 | 1 | 1 | 20,547 |
| Whitewater | 1 | 3 | 2 | 20,461 |
| Waunakee | 1 | 42 | 5 | 20,671 |
| Sussex | 1 | 42 | 4 | 20,202 |
Common Questions About South Milwaukee Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
Is South Milwaukee water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. South Milwaukee's 1 water system uses a single source. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink South Milwaukee tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. No health-based violations are recorded across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts, but this is not a property-level safety guarantee.
What is the best water filter for South Milwaukee? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
South Milwaukee vs. Wisconsin Average
Understanding how South Milwaukee compares to the broader Wisconsin average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within South Milwaukee.
ZIP Codes in South Milwaukee
South Milwaukee spans 1 ZIP code. EPA water-system coverage is available for 1 directly mapped ZIP code. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.