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Water Quality Report

Appleton, WI

Outagamie County · 87,579 residents · 3 water systems

20

Contaminants detected

6

PFAS compounds

Hardness (mg/L)

0

Above legal limits

6

Above health guidelines

Appleton drinking water comes from a mix of groundwater and surface water sources. Based on the most recent monitoring data, 20 contaminants have been detected in the water supply, including Lead, Nitrate, Arsenic, Copper, and 16 others. PFAS compounds have been detected at trace levels in Appleton water.

Contaminants detected in Appleton water

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

Lead0.0013 / 0.015 mg/L
9% of EPA limit
Nitrate0.63 / 10 mg/L
6% of EPA limit
Arsenic0.00054 / 0.01 mg/L
5% of EPA limit
Copper274 / 1300 ug/L
21% of EPA limit
Radium0.4334 / 5 pCi/L
9% of EPA limit
Total Trihalomethanes39.1 / 80 ug/L
49% of EPA limit
32% of EPA limit
Atrazine0.038 / 3 ug/L
1% of EPA limit
Nickel0.00032 mg/L
UnregulatedInorganic
Fluoride0.622 / 4 mg/L
16% of EPA limit
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene0.01 / 50 ug/L
0% of EPA limit
Metolachlor0.019 ug/L
UnregulatedVOC
Beryllium0.00003 / 0.004 mg/L
1% of EPA limit
Antimony0.00038 / 0.006 mg/L
6% of EPA limit
Chromium (total)0.00075 / 0.1 mg/L
1% of EPA limit
Barium0.0037 / 2 mg/L
0% of EPA limit
PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic Acid)0.89 ng/L
UnregulatedPFAS
Orthophosphate1040 ug/L
Unregulated
Toc10 mg/L
Unregulated
PFBA (Perfluorobutanoic Acid)0.0059 ug/L
UnregulatedPFAS
PFAS (6 compounds detected)
Microplastics (not routinely tested)

Other cities in Outagamie County

Water quality reports for nearby Wisconsin communities.

Frequently asked questions

Is Appleton, WI tap water safe to drink?
Appleton tap water meets EPA legal standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels). However, 6 contaminants are present above independent health guidelines, which are often stricter than legal limits. 20 contaminants have been detected in the water supply, including Lead, Nitrate, Arsenic, Copper, Radium. 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 Appleton water?
Monitoring has detected 20 contaminants in Appleton's water supply: Lead, Nitrate, Arsenic, Copper, Radium, Total Trihalomethanes, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Atrazine, Nickel, Fluoride, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Metolachlor, Beryllium, Antimony, Chromium (total), Barium, PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic Acid), Orthophosphate, Toc, PFBA (Perfluorobutanoic Acid). Additionally, 6 PFAS compounds have been detected at trace levels. 6 exceed health guidelines. See individual system reports for concentrations relative to EPA limits.
Does Appleton water have PFAS?
Yes. 6 PFAS compounds have been detected in Appleton'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 Appleton get its drinking water?
Appleton's drinking water comes from a combination of groundwater and surface water sources. The water is treated and tested according to Wisconsin DNR and EPA requirements before distribution. Appleton is served by 3 water systems, the largest being APPLETON WATERWORKS (serving 74,511 people).

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