Health Violations Found WI 3 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Watertown Waterworks

EPA ID: WI1280044 · 23,945 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Tallying the federal enforcement file for Watertown Waterworks yields 6 open violations that have not been formally closed — each finding sits in the EPA database while the utility continues to deliver water to approximately 23,945 residents and works through the required corrective action process.

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

F · 32
Avg Safety Score
23,945
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
9
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.015 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
7
Contaminants Flagged
$240K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 2 (2024) to 6 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade F

Service Area Demographics

$71,973
Median Household Income
29,726
Service Area Population
10%
Disadvantaged Population
47th
Poverty Percentile
47th
Energy Burden Percentile
56%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Watertown Waterworks serves a community with a median household income of $71,973 and an estimated 29,726 residents across its service area. Approximately 56% 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

Watertown 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
47th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
47th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Dodge 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

47 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
21 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 69% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Watertown Waterworks compares to EPA limits

Tribromoacetic Acid 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Tribromoacetic Acid at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 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 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Wisconsin

Middleton Waterworks
23,868 people
C 6 violations
C 41 violations
Franklin Water Utility
22,500 people
B 5 violations
De Pere Waterworks Sa 1
25,660 people
B 2 violations
B 4 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Lead Pipe Replacement Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration
Lead Pipe Replacement $2,640
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,000
Water Filtration $400
Total Estimated Cost $5,240

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 $5,240 (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

WATERTOWN WATERWORKS (EPA ID: WI1280044) is a community water system in Wisconsin that serves approximately 23,945 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: F (32/100)

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

Violation History

3 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 6 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 21, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Tribromoacetic Acid Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Gross Beta Health-based Unresolved
April 1, 2025 Gross Beta Health-based Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Gross Beta Radionuclides 2 Yes
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Tribromoacetic Acid Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 Yes
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 1 No

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
53094 0.015 mg/L No N/A
53098 0.015 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

Coverage: 2 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Watertown Waterworks (WI1280044) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Watertown Waterworks water safe to drink?

Watertown Waterworks has recorded 3 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 Watertown Waterworks serve?

Watertown Waterworks serves approximately 23,945 people across 3 ZIP codes in Wisconsin.

Where does Watertown Waterworks get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.

Samples collected
174

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

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

927
Confirmed Lead
7
Galvanized — Replacement Required
1
Unknown Material
6,668
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 2024-06-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 23,945
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 →

How Water Systems Appear in Rankings

Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Watertown Waterworks safe to drink?
Watertown Waterworks has a F safety grade based on 9 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Watertown Waterworks's water?
Detected contaminants include Tribromoacetic Acid, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Lead and Copper Rule, Stage 1 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 Watertown Waterworks serve?
Watertown Waterworks serves approximately 23,945 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Watertown Waterworks's water source?
Watertown Waterworks draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Watertown Waterworks's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.015 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Watertown Waterworks's service area?
The Watertown Waterworks service area has a median household income of $71,973. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Watertown Waterworks get its water?
Watertown 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

Watertown Waterworks (EPA ID: WI1280044) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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