Water Quality Report
Baraboo, WI
Sauk County · 14,407 residents · 5 water systems
15
Contaminants detected
0
PFAS compounds
—
Hardness (mg/L)
0
Above legal limits
10
Above health guidelines
Baraboo drinking water comes from groundwater wells. Based on the most recent monitoring data, 15 contaminants have been detected in the water supply, including Lead, Nitrate, Arsenic, Copper, and 11 others. PFAS testing has been conducted with no detections.
Contaminants detected in Baraboo water
Detection does not necessarily mean unsafe levels. See individual reports for concentrations and EPA limits.
Lead0.0081 / 0.015 mg/L
54% of EPA limit
Nitrate5.4 / 10 mg/L
54% of EPA limit
Arsenic0.0018 / 0.01 mg/L
18% of EPA limit
Copper370 / 1300 ug/L
28% of EPA limit
Radium2.8 / 5 pCi/L
56% of EPA limit
Uranium0.8 / 30 ug/L
3% of EPA limit
Gross Alpha Radiation3.6 / 15 pCi/L
24% of EPA limit
Total Trihalomethanes7.2 / 80 ug/L
9% of EPA limit
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)1.2 / 60 ug/L
2% of EPA limit
Nickel0.005 mg/L
UnregulatedInorganic
Selenium0.0013 / 0.05 mg/L
3% of EPA limit
Fluoride0.603 / 4 mg/L
15% of EPA limit
Simazine0.014 / 4 ug/L
0% of EPA limit
Chromium (total)0.004 / 0.1 mg/L
4% of EPA limit
Barium0.041 / 2 mg/L
2% of EPA limit
PFAS (tested — none detected)
Microplastics (not routinely tested)
Water systems serving Baraboo
BARABOO WATERWORKS
12,703 servedGroundwater15 contaminants4 above guidelines
WEST BARABOO WATERWORKS
1,414 servedGroundwater11 contaminants4 above guidelines
SUNNYSIDE ESTATES
135 servedGroundwater0 contaminants1 above guideline
COZY ACRES MHP
80 servedGroundwater0 contaminants1 above guideline
GLACIER VIEW SUBDIVISION
75 servedGroundwater0 contaminants
Other cities in Sauk County
Water quality reports for nearby Wisconsin communities.
Frequently asked questions
Is Baraboo, WI tap water safe to drink?
Baraboo tap water meets EPA legal standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels). However, 10 contaminants are present above independent health guidelines, which are often stricter than legal limits. 15 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 Baraboo water?
Monitoring has detected 15 contaminants in Baraboo's water supply: Lead, Nitrate, Arsenic, Copper, Radium, Uranium, Gross Alpha Radiation, Total Trihalomethanes, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Nickel, Selenium, Fluoride, Simazine, Chromium (total), Barium. 10 exceed health guidelines. See individual system reports for concentrations relative to EPA limits.
Does Baraboo water have PFAS?
Baraboo's water has been tested for PFAS compounds with no detections. Testing was conducted as part of the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) program.
Where does Baraboo get its drinking water?
Baraboo'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. Baraboo is served by 5 water systems, the largest being BARABOO WATERWORKS (serving 12,703 people).
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