Health Violations Found WI 2 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Chippewa Falls Waterworks

EPA ID: WI6090456 · 13,375 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Not yet resolved: 6 EPA violations at Chippewa Falls Waterworks, affecting about 13,375 residents.

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

B · 72
Avg Safety Score
13,375
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
13
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0022 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
5
Contaminants Flagged

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Chippewa Falls Waterworks Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$76,603
Median Household Income
34,853
Service Area Population
9%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
57%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Chippewa Falls Waterworks serves a community with a median household income of $76,603 and an estimated 34,853 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

Chippewa Falls 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
50th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Chippewa 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

42 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
26 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 62% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Chippewa Falls Waterworks compares to EPA limits

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

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.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead and Copper Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 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 →

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

Plover Waterworks
13,486 people
C 2 violations
Stoughton Waterworks
13,078 people
C 5 violations
0 violations
B 4 violations
Whitewater Waterworks
14,000 people
D 12 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation Water Filtration PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $600
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $300
PFAS Treatment $250
Total Estimated Cost $1,550

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 $1,550 (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

Chippewa Falls Waterworks (EPA ID: WI6090456) is a community water system in Wisconsin that serves approximately 13,375 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 1 community.

Average Home Safety Score: B (72/100)

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. 6 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
January 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
June 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
June 1, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 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
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 5 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 3 Yes
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 2 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 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
54729 0.0022 mg/L No N/A
54774 0.0022 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: 1 ZIP code 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.

  • 54729 — Chippewa Falls
  • 54774 — Chippewa Falls

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Chippewa Falls Waterworks (WI6090456) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chippewa Falls Waterworks water safe to drink?

Chippewa Falls 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 Chippewa Falls Waterworks serve?

Chippewa Falls Waterworks serves approximately 13,375 people across 2 ZIP codes in Wisconsin.

Where does Chippewa Falls Waterworks get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
116
Detections
1
Latest sample
4/3/2023
Highest analyte
PFBS: 4.8 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFBS 4.8 ppt

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:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
5,357
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

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: 13,375
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 Chippewa Falls Waterworks safe to drink?
Chippewa Falls Waterworks earns a B safety grade with 13 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Chippewa Falls Waterworks's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), 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 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 Chippewa Falls Waterworks serve?
Chippewa Falls Waterworks serves approximately 13,375 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Chippewa Falls Waterworks's water source?
Chippewa Falls Waterworks draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Chippewa Falls Waterworks's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0022 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Chippewa Falls Waterworks's service area?
The Chippewa Falls Waterworks service area has a median household income of $76,603. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Chippewa Falls Waterworks get its water?
Chippewa Falls 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

Chippewa Falls Waterworks (EPA ID: WI6090456) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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