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Water Quality Report

Balsam Lake, WI

Polk County · 1,031 residents · 1 water system

5

Contaminants detected

4

PFAS compounds

Hardness (mg/L)

0

Above legal limits

2

Above health guidelines

Balsam Lake drinking water comes from groundwater wells. Based on the most recent monitoring data, 5 contaminants have been detected in the water supply, including Lead, Nitrate, Copper, Barium, and 1 others. PFAS compounds have been detected at trace levels in Balsam Lake water.

Contaminants detected in Balsam Lake water

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

Lead0.001 / 0.015 mg/L
7% of EPA limit
Nitrate1.9 / 10 mg/L
19% of EPA limit
Copper654 / 1300 ug/L
50% of EPA limit
Barium0.054 / 2 mg/L
3% of EPA limit
Fluoride0.1 / 4 mg/L
3% of EPA limit
PFAS (4 compounds detected)
Microplastics (not routinely tested)

Other cities in Polk County

Water quality reports for nearby Wisconsin communities.

Frequently asked questions

Is Balsam Lake, WI tap water safe to drink?
Balsam Lake tap water meets EPA legal standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels). However, 2 contaminants are present above independent health guidelines, which are often stricter than legal limits. 5 contaminants have been detected in the water supply, including Lead, Nitrate, Copper, Barium, Fluoride. 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 Balsam Lake water?
Monitoring has detected 5 contaminants in Balsam Lake's water supply: Lead, Nitrate, Copper, Barium, Fluoride. Additionally, 4 PFAS compounds have been detected at trace levels. 2 exceed health guidelines. See individual system reports for concentrations relative to EPA limits.
Does Balsam Lake water have PFAS?
Yes. 4 PFAS compounds have been detected in Balsam Lake'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 Balsam Lake get its drinking water?
Balsam Lake'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. Balsam Lake is served by one water system: BALSAM LAKE WATERWORKS.

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