Sussex, WI: 22 Health Violations - Home Safety 50/100
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Sussex: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (22 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
A meaningful share of water systems in Sussex have recorded health-based violations in recent WI monitoring periods - placing the city in the lower tier for tap water safety.
How Sussex Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Sussex Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 42 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0042 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 44% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.81.
Water Systems Serving Sussex
Multiple utilities divide Sussex, WI's water service - 3 leading providers among 4 on the federal register.
- D
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Sussex, Wisconsin, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 20,202 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 22 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sussex: D (50/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Sussex water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0042 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 32 | 1 |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 30 | 1 |
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 14 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53089 | D | 42 | 22 | Sussex Village Hall & Water Utility |
All ZIP Codes in Sussex
- 53089 [D] - 42 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Sussex
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 Sussex
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Sussex's Housing Stock?
With 44% 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
When trying to understand water quality at the household level, the year a home was built often matters more than any city-wide water report. That's because the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in plumbing, and the earlier phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, created sharp discontinuities in residential plumbing risk by construction era. Sussex's median build year of 1999 puts the city in the transition zone: a substantial share of the housing stock postdates the solder ban, but a comparable fraction predates it - with the oldest homes carrying both the solder risk and the pipe risk simultaneously. Whether any individual household sits on the safer or riskier side of these thresholds is the key question, and it's one the city-wide median alone can't answer.
Most homes in Sussex 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.
Sussex: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Sussex, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small - not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Sussex are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,750–$3,900 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 68% above the Wisconsin average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Sussex
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 44% of Sussex stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Sussex
Historical NFIP data for Sussex contains 5 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $28,930. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% 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. The <strong>$2,700</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
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.
What You Can Do in Sussex
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Sussex's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 44% 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 Sussex, WI