La Crosse, WI

La Crosse tap water meets EPA legal standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels). However, 11 contaminants are present above independent health guidelines, which are often stricter than legal limits. 27 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.

Monitoring has detected 27 contaminants in La Crosse's water supply: Lead, Nitrate, Arsenic, Copper, Radium, Uranium, Gross Alpha Radiation, Trichloroethylene, Tetrachloroethylene, Total Trihalomethanes, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Nickel, Selenium, Fluoride, Barium, Dichlorodifluoromethane, Thallium, cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic Acid), Antimony, Beryllium, Trichlorofluoromethane, Orthophosphate, Phosphorus Total, Pfhxa, Pfpea, PFBA (Perfluorobutanoic Acid). Additionally, 8 PFAS compounds have been detected at trace levels. 11 exceed health guidelines. See individual system reports for concentrations relative to EPA limits.

Yes. 8 PFAS compounds have been detected in La Crosse'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.

Yes. La Crosse water has a hardness of 348 mg/L (very hard). Hard water is not a health concern but can cause scale buildup in water heaters and appliances, reduce soap effectiveness, and leave mineral deposits. Water softeners or conditioning systems can address hardness.

La Crosse'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. La Crosse is served by 10 water systems, the largest being LA CROSSE WATERWORKS (serving 53,000 people).