Water Quality: Milwaukee, WI
21 water systems • 678,542 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Milwaukee is served by 21 public water systems with a combined service population of 678,542 people, and has 342 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 20 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Milwaukee's violation count is 944% above the national average for Wisconsin. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine Dioxide, Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Stage 2 DBP.
Contaminants Found
Can cause anemia in infants and young children; may cause nervous system effects at high levels.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant used to control taste, odor, and microorganisms
EPA limit: 0.8 mg/L
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water
EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L
Water Systems Serving Milwaukee
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MILWAUKEE WATERWORKS | WI2410100 | Surface Water | 626,000 | 83 |
| NORTH SHORE WATER COMMISSION | WI2413515 | Surface Water | 35,598 | 4 |
| WHITEFISH BAY WATERWORKS | WI2410597 | Surface Water | 14,272 | 5 |
| ROBERT WILLIAM PARK WATER ASSOCIATION INC | WI2410589 | Groundwater | 1,065 | 5 |
| PIONEER ESTATES OF DELAVAN | WI2650116 | Groundwater | 400 | 7 |
| BEECHWOOD FARMS ESTATES | WI2460791 | Groundwater | 300 | 3 |
| EMERALD WOODS CONDOS | WI2685370 | Groundwater | 150 | 8 |
| LAUREL LAKES 608 | WI2460137 | Groundwater | 80 | 7 |
| GRAND AVE APARTMENTS | WI2460640 | Groundwater | 80 | 6 |
| LINDEN LANE APTS 141 | WI2460154 | Groundwater | 75 | 8 |
| WILLIAMSBURG 207 209 AND 214 | WI2460147 | Groundwater | 70 | 22 |
| MISSION LAKES II | WI2685839 | Groundwater | 68 | 1 |
| LAKEVIEW HEIGHTS MOBILE HOME PARK | WI4310284 | Groundwater | 66 | 11 |
| LAUREL LAKES 508 | WI2460150 | Groundwater | 50 | 5 |
| WILLIAMSBURG 206 | WI2460148 | Groundwater | 48 | 19 |
| PARKVIEW APARTMENTS | WI1280055 | Groundwater | 45 | 20 |
| HEIDEL RD APTS 139 | WI2460152 | Groundwater | 40 | 16 |
| HEIDEL RD APTS 152 | WI2460158 | Groundwater | 40 | 9 |
| RIVER SPRINGS APARTMENTS LLC | WI2520193 | Groundwater | 38 | 84 |
| WILLIAMSBURG 220 | WI2460067 | Groundwater | 32 | 3 |
| RIVER GARDEN APTS | WI2460139 | Groundwater | 25 | 16 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Wisconsin
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.