Lafayette County, Wisconsin
9 ZIP codes · Avg score 62/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent monitoring cycles, Lafayette County's 9 ZIP codes show a split record — several have documented water safety violations.
How Lafayette County Compares
How Lafayette County Compares
Lafayette County scores 4 points below the Wisconsin state average (66/100) and 6 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Lafayette County, Wisconsin
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.3 (asthma 10.9%, diabetes 12.5%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,036, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.431% avg pipe failure probability, 78% of ZIPs at high risk
74.2% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Lafayette County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 5 violations. Past 5 years: 8 total (8 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: $1,036
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
7,023 housing units in Lafayette 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 Lafayette County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gratiot Waterworks | 224 | 8 |
| 2 | Darlington Waterworks | 2,235 | 5 |
| 3 | Argyle Waterworks | 823 | 3 |
| 4 | Belmont Waterworks | 991 | 3 |
| 5 | South Wayne Waterworks | 478 | 2 |
9 total water systems serve Lafayette County.
All ZIP Codes in Lafayette County
9 ZIP codes tracked in Lafayette County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 53516 | Blanchardville | 70 | B | 0 | $282K |
| 2 | 53510 | Belmont | 69 | C | 3 (1 health) | $230K |
| 3 | 53586 | Shullsburg | 67 | C | 0 | $150K |
| 4 | 53541 | Gratiot | 65 | C | 8 (2 health) | $221K |
| 5 | 53587 | South Wayne | 65 | C | 2 | $165K |
| 6 | 53504 | Argyle | 64 | C | 3 (2 health) | $196K |
| 7 | 53803 | Benton | 64 | C | 1 | $152K |
| 8 | 53530 | Darlington | 56 | C | 2 (1 health) | $175K |
| 9 | 53599 | Woodford | 40 | D | 0 | $87K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Lafayette County
Federal and certification sources drive the ordering: EPA monitoring data, NSF certifications, FEMA flood maps, and CDC lead guidance — guides surface only when county data warrants them.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 74.2% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Lafayette County, Wisconsin
Overview
Lafayette County in Wisconsin covers 9 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (62/100).
6 of 9 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 6 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.