Health Violations Found WI 2 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Browntown Waterworks

EPA ID: WI1230077 · 256 people served · 1 ZIP code

Unlike fully compliant utilities, Browntown Waterworks has 9 outstanding EPA violations for approximately 256 residents.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 65
Avg Safety Score
256
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
13
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.002475 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
7
Contaminants Flagged
$183K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Browntown Waterworks Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$79,271
Median Household Income
942
Service Area Population
0%
Disadvantaged Population
40th
Poverty Percentile
50th
Energy Burden Percentile
78%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Browntown Waterworks serves a community with a median household income of $79,271 and an estimated 942 residents across its service area. Approximately 78% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Browntown Waterworks's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
30th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Green County, Wisconsin rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

59 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
6 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 91% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Browntown Waterworks compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 2 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Lead and Copper Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Wisconsin

Ironton Waterworks
253 people
0 violations
C 2 violations
0 violations
Eagle Lake Manor
250 people
B 11 violations
C 1 violation

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,800
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $3,300

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,000
10 years
$10,000
20 years
$20,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,300 (one-time) vs. $10,000 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Browntown Waterworks (EPA ID: WI1230077) is a community water system in Wisconsin that serves approximately 256 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 53522 in Browntown.

Average Home Safety Score: C (65/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

2 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 9 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 2, 2025 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
October 1, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
September 1, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
May 2, 2024 Chlorine residual Health-based Resolved
January 1, 2024 Lead Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Unresolved
May 1, 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
April 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 4 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 2 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 Yes
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 1 No
Chlorine residual Disinfectant 1 Yes

Health Risk Details

Chlorine (Residual Disinfectant) (EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level))

Irritation & DBP formation at high levels; protective at normal treatment levels At-risk groups: people with asthma or chemical sensitivities, kidney dialysis patients (water must be dechlorinated).

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), KDF media filter, carbon block filter. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
53522 0.002475 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your 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.

ZIP Codes Served

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Browntown Waterworks (WI1230077) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Browntown Waterworks water safe to drink?

Browntown Waterworks has recorded 2 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Browntown Waterworks serve?

Browntown Waterworks serves approximately 256 people across 1 ZIP code in Wisconsin.

Where does Browntown Waterworks get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
27
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
108
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2023-06-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Reporting compliance issue flagged by EPA under Rule 2E.
Population served: 256
Reported to Wisconsin

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Browntown Waterworks safe to drink?
Browntown Waterworks has a C safety grade based on 13 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Browntown Waterworks's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Lead and Copper Rule, Stage 2 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Browntown Waterworks serve?
Browntown Waterworks serves approximately 256 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Browntown Waterworks's water source?
Browntown Waterworks draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Browntown Waterworks's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.002475 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Browntown Waterworks's service area?
The Browntown Waterworks service area has a median household income of $79,271. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Browntown Waterworks get its water?
Browntown Waterworks's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Browntown Waterworks (EPA ID: WI1230077) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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