Health Violations Found WI 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Janesville Water Utility

EPA ID: WI1540127 · 64,415 people served · 7 ZIP codes

Tallying the federal enforcement file for Janesville Water Utility yields 1 open violation that have not been formally closed — each finding sits in the EPA database while the utility continues to deliver water to approximately 64,415 residents and works through the required corrective action process.

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

D · 51
Avg Safety Score
64,415
People Served
7
ZIP Codes Served
5
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.01 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
4
Contaminants Flagged
$220K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Janesville Water Utility Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$73,430
Median Household Income
133,848
Service Area Population
26%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
75%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Janesville Water Utility serves a community with a median household income of $73,430 and an estimated 133,848 residents across its service area. Approximately 75% 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

Janesville Water Utility'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
60th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
80th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Rock County, Wisconsin rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 80th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

61 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
8 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 88% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Janesville Water Utility compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Surface Water Treatment 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.

Lead and Copper Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 1 detection recorded.

State limits: PFOA: 0.02 ppt, PFOS: 0.02 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Wisconsin

Oshkosh Waterworks
63,000 people
D 12 violations
Eau Claire Waterworks
70,587 people
B 7 violations
Waukesha Water Utility
70,718 people
D 23 violations
Appleton Waterworks
74,511 people
C 3 violations
La Crosse Waterworks
53,000 people
B 25 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,114
Water Filtration $214
PFAS Treatment $71
Total Estimated Cost $2,600

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.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,165
10 years
$10,330
20 years
$20,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,600 (one-time) vs. $10,330 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

Janesville Water Utility (EPA ID: WI1540127) is a community water system in Wisconsin that serves approximately 64,415 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 7 ZIP codes across 4 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (51/100)

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

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 1 remains unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Resolved
October 17, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2023 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 Yes
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment 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
53545 0.01 mg/L No N/A
53546 0.01 mg/L No N/A
53547 0.01 mg/L No N/A
53548 0.01 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: 6 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 Janesville Water Utility (WI1540127) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Janesville Water Utility water safe to drink?

Janesville Water Utility has recorded 1 health-based violation 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 Janesville Water Utility serve?

Janesville Water Utility serves approximately 64,415 people across 7 ZIP codes in Wisconsin.

Where does Janesville Water Utility get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
608-373-3471
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Contact information from Janesville Water Utility Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
ground
Disinfectant used
Chlorine
Treatment chemicals reported
chlorine

Source: Janesville Water Utility Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Source water assessment from Janesville Water Utility Consumer Confidence Report:
Janesville Water Utility draws from 8 active groundwater wells ranging from 99 to 1,169 feet in depth. A source water assessment summary is available by contacting the utility directly at 608-373-3471.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Standard
Disinfection plus one or more treatment additives — typically corrosion control, pH adjustment, or fluoridation. Standard regime for utilities serving treated municipal water.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorine

Watershed exposure sources reported

Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.

Microbial contaminantsInorganic contaminantsPesticides and herbicidesOrganic chemical contaminantsRadioactive contaminantsUrban stormwater runoffWastewater dischargesSeptic systemsAgriculturePetroleum products

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Janesville Water Utility Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

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:

3
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
23,774
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 2020-07-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 64,415
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 →

Notable events and violations

This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.

Notable events from the utility's CCR

These bullet entries are the utility's own narration of operational, regulatory, or infrastructure events during the reporting period.

Notable events from Janesville Water Utility Consumer Confidence Report:
  • Nitrate detected at 6.77 ppm (max), below MCL of 10 ppm — elevated due to agricultural activity
  • Service line inventory developed; accessible at janesvillewi.gov/departments-services/public-works/water-utility/water-service-line-inventory

ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.

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 Janesville Water Utility safe to drink?
Janesville Water Utility has a D safety grade based on 5 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Janesville Water Utility's water?
Detected contaminants include Surface Water Treatment Rule, Stage 1 DBP Rule, Stage 2 DBP Rule, Lead and Copper Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 4 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 Janesville Water Utility serve?
Janesville Water Utility serves approximately 64,415 people with drinking water across 7 ZIP codes.
What is Janesville Water Utility's water source?
Janesville Water Utility draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Janesville Water Utility's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.01 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Janesville Water Utility's service area?
The Janesville Water Utility service area has a median household income of $73,430. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Janesville Water Utility get its water?
Janesville Water Utility'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

Janesville Water Utility (EPA ID: WI1540127) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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