Health Violations Found WI 3 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Owen Waterworks

EPA ID: WI6100334 · 936 people served · 4 ZIP codes

Owen Waterworks shows 2 open EPA violations in current federal records for approximately 936 people.

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

B · 80
Avg Safety Score
936
People Served
4
ZIP Codes Served
12
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0018 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
6
Contaminants Flagged
$151K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 2 (2023) to 4 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$65,535
Median Household Income
10,147
Service Area Population
43%
Disadvantaged Population
63th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
70%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Owen Waterworks serves a community with a median household income of $65,535 and an estimated 10,147 residents across its service area. Approximately 70% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 43% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Owen 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
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
48th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Marathon 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

55 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
13 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 81% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Owen Waterworks compares to EPA limits

Lead 2 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults
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

Lead at 2 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.

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 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

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

Lead and Copper Rule at 2 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

Dresser Waterworks
936 people
B 0 violations
D 0 violations
Siren Waterworks
941 people
B 0 violations
C 21 violations
Rib Lake Waterworks
945 people
B 4 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration
Radon Mitigation $600
Flood Insurance $300
Water Filtration $150
Total Estimated Cost $1,050

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 $1,050 (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

Owen Waterworks (EPA ID: WI6100334) is a community water system in Wisconsin that serves approximately 936 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: B (80/100)

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. 2 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
April 1, 2025 Stage 1 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
October 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
November 2, 2023 Chlorine residual Health-based Resolved
April 1, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Unresolved

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 4 No
Lead Inorganic 2 Yes
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 Yes
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Chlorine residual Disinfectant 1 Yes

Health Risk Details

Lead (EPA limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level))

Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults At-risk groups: infants, children under 6, pregnant women.

Removal methods: reverse osmosis, distillation, certified carbon block filter (NSF/ANSI 53). Find the right filter →

Chlorine (Residual Disinfectant) (EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level))

Irritation & DBP formation at high levels; protective at normal treatment levels At-risk groups: people with asthma or chemical sensitivities, kidney dialysis patients (water must be dechlorinated).

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), KDF media filter, carbon block filter. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
54460 0.0018 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 Owen Waterworks (WI6100334) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Owen Waterworks water safe to drink?

Owen 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 Owen Waterworks serve?

Owen Waterworks serves approximately 936 people across 4 ZIP codes in Wisconsin.

Where does Owen 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:

0
Confirmed Lead
7
Galvanized — Replacement Required
1
Unknown Material
432
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: 936
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 Owen Waterworks safe to drink?
Owen Waterworks earns a B safety grade with 12 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Owen Waterworks's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Stage 1 DBP Rule, Stage 2 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 Owen Waterworks serve?
Owen Waterworks serves approximately 936 people with drinking water across 4 ZIP codes.
What is Owen Waterworks's water source?
Owen Waterworks draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Owen Waterworks's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0018 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Owen Waterworks's service area?
The Owen Waterworks service area has a median household income of $65,535. EPA EJScreen data classifies 43% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Owen Waterworks get its water?
Owen 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

Owen Waterworks (EPA ID: WI6100334) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems Wisconsin Owen Waterworks

Get safety alerts for Owen Waterworks, Wisconsin

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Violations found — check filter options Free tool — no phone call required.