Within Waldo, safety indicators for tap water remain above the WI median — documented violations are infrequent and the city's compliance record sits in the upper tier.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Waldo, Wisconsin (population ~2,025), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 5,026 people region-wide.

No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Waldo — an excellent indicator of water quality.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Waldo: B (83/100)

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

Waldo water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0003 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)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Areas with No Violations

All ZIP Codes in Waldo

• 53093 [B]

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.

Housing Age Profile

The character of Waldo's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1962 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.

1962

Median Year Built

70%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

45%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Pre-1970 (45%) 1970–1986 (25%) Post-1986 (30%)

Over half of homes in Waldo 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 Waldo

Across Waldo, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.

Median Home Value

$248,100

Est. Remediation

$400

Remediation as % of home value 0.2%

Remediation costs in Waldo are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 7% above the Wisconsin average.

Waldo: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

70%

Homes Built Before 1986

0.0003

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

70% — that captures the slice of Waldo housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.