Water Quality: Waukesha, WI
7 water systems • 72,340 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Waukesha is served by 7 public water systems with a combined service population of 72,340 people, and has 934 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 783 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Waukesha's violation count is 2752% above the national average for Wisconsin. Contaminants associated with violations include Contaminant 4030, Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, HAA5, Stage 2 DBP.
Contaminants Found
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)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
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
Not a direct health risk but reacts with disinfectants to form carcinogenic byproducts such as trihalomethanes.
Common source: Decaying plant material, algae, soil organic matter in source water
EPA limit: Treatment technique (must reduce TOC based on source water level)
Water Systems Serving Waukesha
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAUKESHA WATER UTILITY | WI2680238 | Surface Water | 70,718 | 874 |
| LAKE MEADOWS WATER TRUST | WI2680228 | Groundwater | 750 | 11 |
| LAKE DRIVE WATER TRUST | WI2683440 | Groundwater | 500 | 3 |
| PINES SUBDIVISION | WI2460982 | Groundwater | 200 | 13 |
| SCHOENSTATT SISTERS OF MARY | WI2680242 | Groundwater | 80 | 2 |
| DOUGLAS PLAZA SOUTH | WI2680862 | Groundwater | 62 | 15 |
| DOUGLAS PLAZA NORTH | WI2680288 | Groundwater | 30 | 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.