Health Concerns Found SCHOOL DISTRICT

Milwaukee School District (WI): 84 Health Violations

42 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · 23,868,730 people served · Updated 2026-06-03

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

B · 77
Avg Safety Score
42
ZIP Codes
10
Water Systems
1722
Violations (5yr)
0.0053 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
Zone 2
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 42 ZIP codes served by 10 community water systems, providing water to approximately 23,868,730 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is B (77/100) — with the lowest-scoring area at 65/100 .

Water quality in this district ranks better than 69% 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) 0.0053 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 42 —

EPA Violation History

84 health-based violations recorded across 42 of 42 ZIP codes in the past 5 years. 420 violations remain unresolved.

Contaminants of Concern

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 630 No 42
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 336 No 42
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 252 No 42
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 168 Yes 42
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 126 No 42
Total Coliform Microbiological 84 No 42
Lead Inorganic 42 No 42
Contaminant 2356 Other 42 No 42

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate risk)

Water Quality by ZIP Code

ZIP Code City Safety Score Violations Health Lead Level Exceeds?
53201 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
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
53234 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53237 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53244 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53259 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53263 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53267 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53268 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53274 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53278 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53288 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53290 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53293 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No
53295 Milwaukee B (80) 41 2 0.0053 mg/L No

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 84 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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