Health Concerns Found SCHOOL DISTRICT

Milwaukee School District (WI): 59 Health Violations

31 ZIP codes · 14 water systems · 16,388,834 people served · Updated 2026-07-19

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA drinking-water data for Milwaukee School District: 292 unresolved violations in the water systems serving this district.

Data: EPA SDWIS, NCES Last verified: 2026-07-19

B · 75
Avg Safety Score
31
ZIP Codes
14
Water Systems
1193
Violations (5yr)
0.0052 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk

Why School Water Quality Matters

Children drink 2–4× more water per pound of body weight than adults, making them more vulnerable to contaminants. School water quality affects students for hours every weekday.

Water Quality Overview

The Milwaukee School District in Wisconsin spans 31 ZIP codes served by 14 community water systems, providing water to approximately 16,388,834 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is B (75/100)

  • with the lowest-scoring area at 40/100 .

Water quality in this district ranks better than 64% of ZIP codes nationally.

Why This Matters for Children

Children are more vulnerable to water contaminants than adults. The EPA and CDC identify these key risks:

  • Lead exposure - Even low levels of lead can affect brain development, reduce IQ, and cause behavioral problems in children. There is no safe level of lead for children.
  • PFAS ("forever chemicals") - Linked to immune system effects and developmental delays in children. Children drink more water relative to body weight than adults.
  • Nitrate - Dangerous for infants (can cause "blue baby syndrome"). Agricultural areas often have elevated nitrate.
  • Disinfection byproducts - Long-term exposure may increase cancer risk. School water fountains often have stagnant water that concentrates these compounds.

Lead Levels in the District

Metric Value EPA Threshold
Average lead level (90th percentile) 0.0052 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level 0.0053 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level 0 of 31 -

EPA Violation History

59 health-based violations recorded across 30 of 31 ZIP codes in the past 5 years. 292 violations remain unresolved.

Contaminants of Concern

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 435 No 29
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 233 No 30
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 174 No 29
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 118 Yes 30
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 87 No 29
Total Coliform Microbiological 58 No 29
Lead Inorganic 29 No 29
Contaminant 2356 Other 29 No 29

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High risk)

1 of 31 ZIP codes is in the highest radon risk zone. Radon is the #2 cause of lung cancer in the U.S. - homes and school buildings in Zone 1 should be tested.

Water Quality by ZIP Code

ZIP Code City Safety Score Violations Health Lead Level Exceeds?
53202 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53203 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53204 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53205 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53206 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53207 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53208 Milwaukee B (75) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53209 Milwaukee C (65) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53210 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53211 Milwaukee B (75) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53212 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53213 Milwaukee B (70) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53214 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53215 Milwaukee B (75) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53216 Milwaukee B (70) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53217 Milwaukee C (65) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53218 Milwaukee C (65) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53219 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53220 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53221 Milwaukee B (75) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53222 Milwaukee B (75) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53223 Milwaukee B (70) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53224 Milwaukee B (75) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53225 Milwaukee B (75) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53226 Milwaukee B (75) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53227 Milwaukee B (75) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53228 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53233 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53295 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53154 Oak Creek B (77) 4 1 0.002 mg/L No
53235 Saint Francis D (40) 0 0 — —

Water Systems Serving This District

Water System Population Served Source ZIP Codes
Milwaukee Waterworks 626,000 Surface water 53202, 53203, 53204 +27 more
North Shore Water Commission 35,598 Surface water 53202, 53203, 53204 +26 more
Oak Creek Waterworks 32,104 Surface water 53154
New Berlin Water Utility 27,899 Surface water 53227, 53228
Menomonee Falls Ww - Surface Water 23,867 Surface water 53224, 53225
Franklin Water Utility 22,500 Surface water 53221
South Milwaukee Waterworks 21,340 Surface water 53207, 53221
Greendale Waterworks 14,393 Surface water 53220, 53221, 53228

14 water systems total serve this district.

Lead Risk Assessment

Lead risk: ELEVATED. 29 ZIP codes in this district have high lead exposure risk scores based on housing age and infrastructure.

Infrastructure Risk Factors

Risk Factor District Average Why It Matters
Housing built before 1986 83.5% Lead solder was used in plumbing until 1986
Housing built before 1950 39.2% Lead pipes were common before 1950
Lead service line probability 24.2% Estimated chance of lead pipes connecting homes to water mains
Average lead level (90th pctl) 0.0052 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L
Highest measured lead level 0.0053 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L

Schools built before 1986 are especially at risk. Lead can leach from older pipes, fixtures, and solder joints into drinking water — particularly when water sits in pipes overnight or over weekends.

Detailed Violation History

1 health-based contaminant have triggered violations in this district: Stage 2 DBP Rule.
Contaminant Category Total Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 435 No 29
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 233 No 30
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 174 No 29
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 118 Yes 30
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 87 No 29
Total Coliform Microbiological 58 No 29
Contaminant 2356 Other 29 No 29
Gross Alpha Radionuclides 29 No 29
Lead Inorganic 29 No 29
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No 1

Most Recent Violations

  • Violation in ZIP 53154 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 53154 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 53154 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 53202 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 53202 (Unknown date) — Unresolved

Is the Water Safe at Milwaukee School District Schools?

Several factors warrant attention for families in the Milwaukee School District area:

  • Water systems in this district have recorded 59 health-based violations. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose health risks.
  • 83.5% of buildings in this district predate 1986, increasing the risk of lead in school plumbing.
  • 292 violations remain unresolved, meaning the issues have not been officially corrected.

Important context: EPA compliance data measures water quality at the utility level. Individual school buildings — especially older ones — may have additional risks from internal plumbing, lead fixtures, and stagnant water in pipes.

What Parents Should Do

Testing

  1. Request your school's water testing results. Under the EPA's 3Ts program, schools are encouraged to test drinking water. Ask the Milwaukee School District school board for the most recent results.
  2. Test your home water. If your home was built before 1986, lead may be present in your plumbing. Free or low-cost test kits are often available from your water utility.

Advocacy

  1. Attend school board meetings and ask about the district's water quality testing schedule and remediation plans.
  2. Request lead fixture replacement if your child's school was built before 1986 and hasn't upgraded its plumbing.
  3. Contact your water utility about the 292 unresolved violations in the district. Ask for a timeline for resolution.

Resources

ZIP Code Reports for This District

What Parents Can Do

  1. Request lead testing at your child's school - The EPA's 3Ts program (Training, Testing, Taking Action) provides guidance for schools. Ask your school board about their water testing schedule.
  2. Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) - Your water utility publishes this annually. It details all detected contaminants.
  3. Consider a water filter for your home - NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) filters are certified to remove lead. This is especially important for infant formula preparation.
  4. Pack water from home - If you're concerned about school water quality, send your child with a water bottle filled at home (filtered if possible).
  5. Stay informed - Bookmark this page to check for updates on water quality in your school district.

Need help with school water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe in Milwaukee School District schools?

Water systems serving Milwaukee School District have recorded 59 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While utilities are required to meet federal standards, individual school buildings may have older plumbing that can introduce contaminants. Parents should request lead testing results from their school.

Does Milwaukee School District test for lead in school water?

Federal law does not require schools to test for lead in drinking water (except in some states with specific mandates). The EPA's voluntary 3Ts program encourages testing. Contact your school district office to ask about their testing schedule and results.

What level of lead is safe for children?

There is no safe level of lead for children, according to the CDC. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) triggers corrective action for water systems, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school water contain no more than 0.001 mg/L (1 ppb).

Data Sources

Updated daily.

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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Milwaukee School District (WI): 59 Health Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/schools/milwaukee-school-district-wi/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-schools-milwaukee-school-district-wi,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Milwaukee School District (WI): 59 Health Violations}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/schools/milwaukee-school-district-wi/}
}

Data as of July 2026.

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