Kenosha Water Utility
EPA ID: WI2300046 · 99,218 people served · 8 ZIP codes
Tallying the federal enforcement file for Kenosha Water Utility yields 8 open violations that have not been formally closed — each finding sits in the EPA database while the utility continues to deliver water to approximately 99,218 residents and works through the required corrective action process.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 20 (2022) to 20 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Kenosha Water Utility Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade B
Service Area Demographics
The Kenosha Water Utility serves a community with a median household income of $71,111 and an estimated 162,536 residents across its service area. Approximately 65% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Kenosha Water Utility's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 1% of homes in Kenosha 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
Detected Contaminants
How Kenosha Water Utility compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Lead and Copper Rule at 8 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 2 DBP Rule at 7 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Total Coliform at 4 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Contaminant 0700 at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Wisconsin
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
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.
System Overview
Kenosha Water Utility (EPA ID: WI2300046) is a community water system in Wisconsin that serves approximately 99,218 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 8 ZIP codes across 4 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: B (70/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2, 2025 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Health-based | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 14, 2024 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 5, 2024 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| June 1, 2024 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| May 16, 2024 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2024 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Contaminant 2005 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 29, 2023 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 29, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | 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 | 8 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 7 | Yes |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 4 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 4 | Yes |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 3 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | No |
| Contaminant 2005 | Other Violation | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53140 | 0.0078 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 53141 | 0.0078 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 53142 | 0.0078 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 53143 | 0.0078 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 53144 | 0.0078 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 53104 | 0.0001465 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: 7 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.
- 53104 — Bristol
- 53140 — Kenosha
- 53141 — Kenosha
- 53142 — Kenosha
- 53143 — Kenosha
- 53144 — Kenosha
- 53158 — Pleasant Prairie
- 53403 — Racine
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Kenosha Water Utility (WI2300046) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kenosha Water Utility water safe to drink?
Kenosha Water Utility has recorded 7 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 Kenosha Water Utility serve?
Kenosha Water Utility serves approximately 99,218 people across 8 ZIP codes in Wisconsin.
Where does Kenosha Water Utility get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
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.
Contact information from Kenosha 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: Kenosha 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.
The Kenosha Water Utility has three active sources of water, all of which are in Lake Michigan. There are two intakes at a depth of about 35 feet; the third intake is at a depth of five feet. Contact the Director of Water Production at (262) 653-4331 to obtain a summary of the source water assessment.
Treatment regime
How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.
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.
Watershed exposure sources reported
Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.
Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Kenosha 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.
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 →
PFAS Substances Detected in This System
This water system's Consumer Confidence Report disclosed the following PFAS compounds. Levels are from the utility's most recent reporting cycle.
In April 2024, EPA finalized the first National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS. Public water systems have until 2029 to comply. EPA — PFAS regulation overview →
Source: Consumer Confidence Report disclosed by Kenosha Water Utility.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. PFAS detection data is sourced from public Consumer Confidence Reports filed by the utility itself.
Kenosha Water Utility was required to develop an initial inventory of service lines by October 16, 2024. The inventory is publicly accessible at kenosha.org/departments/water_utility. The utility is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes; because lead levels may vary over time, exposure is possible even when tap sampling does not detect lead.
Lead Service Line Replacement Tracker
This water utility's lead service line (LSL) replacement program is tracked from public Consumer Confidence Report filings. Email signup notifies subscribers when the utility files an updated replacement plan or progress milestone.
Kenosha Water Utility
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. LSL replacement-program data is sourced from public CCR filings published by the utility. Subscription notifications are based on automated parsing of subsequent CCR releases.
Learn more about Lead and Copper Rule replacement requirements →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
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.
Aesthetic water quality
These measurements describe the look, taste, and feel of the water this utility delivers. They are not contaminant violations — they sit alongside federal Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) which the EPA publishes as non-enforceable guidance.
Aesthetic measurements from Kenosha Water Utility Consumer Confidence Report.
Aesthetic measurements are reported by the utility from its annual sampling. EPA Secondary MCLs are advisory thresholds — values outside them indicate aesthetic concerns such as taste or appearance, not health violations. Federal contaminant testing is shown in the sections above.
Hard water detected in Kenosha Water Utility
Your utility reported water hardness of 142 ppm CaCO₃ (8.3 grains per gallon) in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report. This is in the moderately hard range and may cause scale buildup, reduced appliance lifespan, and dry skin or hair.
There are three common approaches to treating hard water: salt-based ion-exchange softeners (most effective, require salt refills), salt-free conditioners (lower maintenance, scale prevention only), and reverse osmosis at the kitchen sink (cooking and drinking water only). Aquasana, EcoWater, Pelican, and SpringWell are among the major US brands.
Paid Partner. ZipCheckup earns commission on Aquasana purchases. We do not test water or verify product effectiveness for specific hardness levels — manufacturer claims are theirs alone. Consult a certified water-quality professional for personalized advice.
Hardness data parsed from this utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report. Severity bands per USGS hard water classification.
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.
- PFOA and PFOS combined total 3.40 ppt detected in 2023 sampling, below the HAL of 20 ppt then in effect.
- PFAS MCLs revised by WDHS in 2025; updated levels available at dhs.wisconsin.gov/water/gws.htm.
- Uranium detected at 0.33 ppb (2020), below 30 ppb MCL.
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
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Kenosha Water Utility (EPA ID: WI2300046) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.