Ladysmith Waterworks
EPA ID: WI8550131 · 3,184 people served · 1 ZIP code
Where compliant utilities carry no open actions, Ladysmith Waterworks shows 9 active EPA violations in the federal database for a service population of approximately 3,184.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Ladysmith Waterworks Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Ladysmith Waterworks serves a community with a median household income of $55,328 and an estimated 5,866 residents across its service area. Approximately 73% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 60% 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?
Ladysmith 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.
About 2% of homes in Rusk 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 Ladysmith Waterworks compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Arsenic at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.01 mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Contaminant 1011 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Contaminant 1032 at 1 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
Ladysmith Waterworks (EPA ID: WI8550131) is a community water system in Wisconsin that serves approximately 3,184 people from groundwater sources.
This system serves ZIP code 54848 in Ladysmith.
Average Home Safety Score: C (69/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 10, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 2, 2025 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Contaminant 1032 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 8, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| December 13, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 30, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| May 30, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Arsenic | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| November 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
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 | 6 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Contaminant 1011 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 1032 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Arsenic | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54848 | 0.0015 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: 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.
- 54848 — Ladysmith
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Ladysmith Waterworks (WI8550131) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ladysmith Waterworks water safe to drink?
Ladysmith Waterworks has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.
How many people does Ladysmith Waterworks serve?
Ladysmith Waterworks serves approximately 3,184 people across 1 ZIP code in Wisconsin.
Where does Ladysmith 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:
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.
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
Ladysmith Waterworks (EPA ID: WI8550131) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.