Waupaca, WI: 49 Violations - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Waupaca Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 49 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.006 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 61% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.02 - above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Waupaca
Water supply in Waupaca, WI follows a divided structure: 2 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 2 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Waupaca, Wisconsin, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 15,064 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. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Water Sources
Waupaca water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0060 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 2005 | Other | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2010 | Other | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2015 | Other | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2020 | Other | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2031 | Other | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54981 | — | 49 | 1 | Waupaca Waterworks |
All ZIP Codes in Waupaca
- 54981 - 49 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.
Health Outcomes in Waupaca
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 Waupaca Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Waupaca
With 61% 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 Waupaca, where the median build year is 1972, 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 Waupaca 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 Waupaca Homeowners
For most Waupaca homeowners, estimated remediation represents a moderate equity share - manageable with planning.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Waupaca. The estimated $2,550–$5,400 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 12% below the Wisconsin average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Waupaca
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.
Wherever 61% of local housing was built before solder rules changed - as is the case in Waupaca - a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Waupaca
Historical NFIP data for Waupaca contains 3 flood insurance claims. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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>$3,900</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Waupaca, WI