Health Violations Found WI 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Chetek Waterworks

EPA ID: WI6030129 · 1,931 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Within the EPA compliance database, Chetek Waterworks shows 2 violations still pending resolution — a status that applies across the full service territory of approximately 1,931 people and reflects findings that have not yet cleared the federal enforcement process or received formal closure.

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

B · 81
Avg Safety Score
1,931
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
7
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.002 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
5
Contaminants Flagged
$216K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 1 (2021) to 1 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$66,500
Median Household Income
14,173
Service Area Population
3%
Disadvantaged Population
57th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
57%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Chetek Waterworks serves a community with a median household income of $66,500 and an estimated 14,173 residents across its service area. Approximately 57% 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

Chetek 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
17th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
30th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Barron 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

44 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
26 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 63% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Chetek 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

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.

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

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 1 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

Somers Water Utility
1,930 people
B 3 violations
Eagle Waterworks
1,950 people
C 0 violations
B 3 violations
Crandon Waterworks
1,958 people
C 3 violations
Trempealeau Waterworks
1,888 people
B 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $600
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $200
Total Estimated Cost $1,200

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 $1,200 (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

Chetek Waterworks (EPA ID: WI6030129) is a community water system in Wisconsin that serves approximately 1,931 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: B (81/100)

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. 2 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP 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 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
August 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 Yes
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
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
54757 0.002 mg/L No N/A
54728 0.0005 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 Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by WI or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Chetek Waterworks (WI6030129) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chetek Waterworks water safe to drink?

Chetek Waterworks 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 Chetek Waterworks serve?

Chetek Waterworks serves approximately 1,931 people across 3 ZIP codes in Wisconsin.

Where does Chetek 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:

1
Confirmed Lead
66
Galvanized — Replacement Required
83
Unknown Material
911
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.
Population served: 1,931
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 Chetek Waterworks safe to drink?
Chetek Waterworks earns a B safety grade with 7 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Chetek Waterworks's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Stage 2 DBP Rule, Surface Water Treatment 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 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 Chetek Waterworks serve?
Chetek Waterworks serves approximately 1,931 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Chetek Waterworks's water source?
Chetek Waterworks draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Chetek Waterworks's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.002 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Chetek Waterworks's service area?
The Chetek Waterworks service area has a median household income of $66,500. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Chetek Waterworks get its water?
Chetek 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

Chetek Waterworks (EPA ID: WI6030129) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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