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Water Quality Report

Amherst, WI

Portage County · 1,119 residents · 1 water system

9

Contaminants detected

2

PFAS compounds

Hardness (mg/L)

0

Above legal limits

1

Above health guidelines

Amherst drinking water comes from groundwater wells. Based on the most recent monitoring data, 9 contaminants have been detected in the water supply, including Lead, Nitrate, Total Trihalomethanes, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), and 5 others. PFAS compounds have been detected at trace levels in Amherst water.

Contaminants detected in Amherst water

Detection does not necessarily mean unsafe levels. See individual reports for concentrations and EPA limits.

Lead0.006 / 0.015 mg/L
40% of EPA limit
Nitrate7.9 / 10 mg/L
79% of EPA limit
10% of EPA limit
6% of EPA limit
Atrazine0.026 / 3 ug/L
1% of EPA limit
Nickel0.001 mg/L
UnregulatedInorganic
Xylenes0.86 / 10000 ug/L
0% of EPA limit
Nitrite0.11 / 1 mg/L
11% of EPA limit
Ethylbenzene0.15 / 700 ug/L
0% of EPA limit
PFAS (2 compounds detected)
Microplastics (not routinely tested)

Other cities in Portage County

Water quality reports for nearby Wisconsin communities.

Frequently asked questions

Is Amherst, WI tap water safe to drink?
Amherst tap water meets EPA legal standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels). However, 1 contaminant is present above independent health guidelines, which are often stricter than legal limits. 9 contaminants have been detected in the water supply, including Lead, Nitrate, Total Trihalomethanes, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Atrazine. View the detailed report for each water system to see specific levels and how they compare to both legal limits and health guidelines.
What contaminants are in Amherst water?
Monitoring has detected 9 contaminants in Amherst's water supply: Lead, Nitrate, Total Trihalomethanes, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Atrazine, Nickel, Xylenes, Nitrite, Ethylbenzene. Additionally, 2 PFAS compounds have been detected at trace levels. 1 exceed health guidelines. See individual system reports for concentrations relative to EPA limits.
Does Amherst water have PFAS?
Yes. 2 PFAS compounds have been detected in Amherst's water supply at trace levels. PFAS are sometimes called "forever chemicals" because they do not break down in the environment. The EPA has set Maximum Contaminant Levels for several PFAS compounds. View the detailed report for specific concentrations.
Where does Amherst get its drinking water?
Amherst's drinking water comes from groundwater wells that draw from underground aquifers. The water is treated and tested according to Wisconsin DNR and EPA requirements before distribution. Amherst is served by one water system: AMHERST WATERWORKS.

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