Ashland County, Wisconsin
9 ZIP codes · Avg score 64/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Ashland County shows moderate water quality across its 9 ZIP codes — some areas carry violations worth monitoring.
How Ashland County Compares
How Ashland County Compares
Ashland County scores 2 points below the Wisconsin state average (66/100) and 4 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Ashland County, Wisconsin
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.8 (asthma 11.3%, diabetes 13.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $941, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.416% avg pipe failure probability, 63% of ZIPs at high risk
65% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Ashland County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2023 with 8 violations. Past 5 years: 15 total (15 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $941
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
9,924 housing units in Ashland County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Ashland County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Ashland County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Ashland County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Ashland County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Butternut Waterworks | 283 | 19 |
| 2 | Ashland Water Utility | 8,000 | 10 |
| 3 | ASPEN RIDGE | 50 | 6 |
| 4 | Glidden Sanitary District | 750 | 3 |
| 5 | MELLEN WATER UTILITY | 731 | 1 |
All ZIP Codes in Ashland County
9 ZIP codes tracked in Ashland County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54527 | Glidden | 82 | B | 3 | $119K |
| 2 | 54546 | Mellen | 81 | B | 1 | $134K |
| 3 | 54855 | Marengo | 80 | B | 6 | $191K |
| 4 | 54514 | Butternut | 79 | B | 19 (3 health) | $159K |
| 5 | 54517 | Clam Lake | 53 | D | 0 | $418K |
| 6 | 54816 | Benoit | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 7 | 54846 | High Bridge | 53 | D | 0 | $147K |
| 8 | 54861 | Odanah | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 9 | 54806 | Ashland | 45 | D | 10 (4 health) | $173K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Ashland County
Editorial-only picks, screened against the EPA detections on file.
- Best Water Filters for Lead — Lead above EPA action level in 1 ZIP code
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 65% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ashland County, Wisconsin
Overview
Ashland County in Wisconsin covers 9 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (64/100).
5 of 9 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 7 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Wisconsin water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.