Health Violations Found WI 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

La Crosse Waterworks

EPA ID: WI6320309 · 53,000 people served · 7 ZIP codes

Federal data shows 5 unresolved violations at La Crosse Waterworks — roughly 53,000 residents in the service area.

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

B · 73
Avg Safety Score
53,000
People Served
7
ZIP Codes Served
25
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.00288 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
6
Contaminants Flagged
$239K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for La Crosse Waterworks Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$78,995
Median Household Income
101,908
Service Area Population
13%
Disadvantaged Population
43th
Poverty Percentile
37th
Energy Burden Percentile
64%
Pre-1986 Housing

The La Crosse Waterworks serves a community with a median household income of $78,995 and an estimated 101,908 residents across its service area. Approximately 64% 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

La Crosse 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
37th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
46th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in La Crosse 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

51 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
17 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 75% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How La Crosse Waterworks compares to EPA limits

Atrazine 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.003 mg/L
Endocrine disruption, cardiovascular & reproductive effects

What This Means For You

Atrazine at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.003 mg/L. Endocrine disruption, cardiovascular & reproductive effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 9 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 7 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 3 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. 16 detections recorded. 4 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

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 →

Atrazine 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

B 4 violations
Fond Du Lac Waterworks
44,303 people
D 13 violations
Oshkosh Waterworks
63,000 people
D 12 violations
Janesville Water Utility
64,415 people
D 5 violations
Wausau Waterworks
39,994 people
C 13 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,114
Radon Mitigation $629
PFAS Treatment $243
Water Filtration $214
Total Estimated Cost $2,200

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 $1,500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,665
10 years
$15,330
20 years
$30,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,200 (one-time) vs. $15,330 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

La Crosse Waterworks (EPA ID: WI6320309) is a community water system in Wisconsin that serves approximately 53,000 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 7 ZIP codes across 5 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: B (73/100)

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. 5 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 2, 2025 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
June 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
May 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
March 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
February 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2025 Atrazine Monitoring Resolved
December 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
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
January 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 9 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 7 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 4 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 3 Yes
Atrazine Organic 1 No
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
54623 0.00288 mg/L No N/A
54601 0.00179 mg/L No N/A
54602 0.00179 mg/L No N/A
54603 0.00179 mg/L No N/A
54658 0.001 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: 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 La Crosse Waterworks (WI6320309) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is La Crosse Waterworks water safe to drink?

La Crosse 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 La Crosse Waterworks serve?

La Crosse Waterworks serves approximately 53,000 people across 7 ZIP codes in Wisconsin.

Where does La Crosse 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
580
Detections
32
Latest sample
11/15/2023
Highest analyte
PFBA: 21 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFBA 21 ppt
PFBS 15 ppt
PFHxS 8.4 ppt 10 ppt Below current MCL
PFOS 5.5 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFOA 5.1 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFPeA 4 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
16,828
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 2025-06-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 53,000
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 →

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 La Crosse Waterworks safe to drink?
La Crosse Waterworks earns a B safety grade with 25 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in La Crosse Waterworks's water?
Detected contaminants include Atrazine, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Stage 1 DBP Rule, Surface Water Treatment 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 La Crosse Waterworks serve?
La Crosse Waterworks serves approximately 53,000 people with drinking water across 7 ZIP codes.
What is La Crosse Waterworks's water source?
La Crosse Waterworks draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in La Crosse Waterworks's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00288 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of La Crosse Waterworks's service area?
The La Crosse Waterworks service area has a median household income of $78,995. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does La Crosse Waterworks get its water?
La Crosse 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

La Crosse Waterworks (EPA ID: WI6320309) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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