Water Quality Report
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee County · 678,542 residents · 21 water systems
22
Contaminants detected
6
PFAS compounds
203
Hardness (mg/L)
1
Above legal limits
36
Above health guidelines
Milwaukee drinking water comes from a mix of groundwater and surface water sources. Based on the most recent monitoring data, 22 contaminants have been detected in the water supply, including Lead, Nitrate, Copper, Radium, and 18 others. PFAS compounds have been detected at trace levels in Milwaukee water. Water hardness is 203 mg/L (very hard), which can cause scale buildup in appliances and reduce soap effectiveness.
Contaminants detected in Milwaukee water
Detection does not necessarily mean unsafe levels. See individual reports for concentrations and EPA limits.
Lead0.0053 / 0.015 mg/L
35% of EPA limit
Nitrate0.36 / 10 mg/L
4% of EPA limit
Copper19.6 / 1300 ug/L
2% of EPA limit
Radium1.3 / 5 pCi/L
25% of EPA limit
Uranium0.3 / 30 ug/L
1% of EPA limit
Total Trihalomethanes10.8 / 80 ug/L
14% of EPA limit
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)3 / 60 ug/L
5% of EPA limit
Atrazine0.024 / 3 ug/L
1% of EPA limit
Fluoride0.398 / 4 mg/L
10% of EPA limit
Bromate0.0026 / 0.01 mg/L
26% of EPA limit
2,4-D0.1 / 70 ug/L
0% of EPA limit
Gross Beta3 / 50 pCi/L
6% of EPA limit
Chromium (total)0.001 / 0.1 mg/L
1% of EPA limit
Barium0.0193 / 2 mg/L
1% of EPA limit
PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic Acid)1.1 ng/L
UnregulatedPFAS
PFPeA (Perfluoropentanoic Acid)1.5 ng/L
UnregulatedPFAS
Antimony0.00016 / 0.006 mg/L
3% of EPA limit
Cyanide0.0015 / 0.2 mg/L
1% of EPA limit
Orthophosphate2050 ug/L
Unregulated
Toc2.1 mg/L
Unregulated
Bromide0.035 mg/L
Unregulated
PFBA (Perfluorobutanoic Acid)2.1 ng/L
UnregulatedPFAS
PFAS (6 compounds detected)
Microplastics (not routinely tested)
Water systems serving Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE WATERWORKS
626,000 servedSurface water22 contaminants2 above guidelines
NORTH SHORE WATER COMMISSION
35,598 servedSurface water13 contaminants2 above guidelines
WHITEFISH BAY WATERWORKS
14,272 servedSurface water4 contaminants1 above guideline
ROBERT WILLIAM PARK WATER ASSOCIATION INC
1,065 servedGroundwater8 contaminants1 above guideline
PIONEER ESTATES OF DELAVAN
400 servedGroundwater14 contaminants2 above guidelines
BEECHWOOD FARMS ESTATES
300 servedGroundwater12 contaminants3 above guidelines
EMERALD WOODS CONDOS
150 servedGroundwater11 contaminants1 above guideline
LAUREL LAKES 608
80 servedGroundwater10 contaminants2 above guidelines
GRAND AVE APARTMENTS
80 servedGroundwater11 contaminants2 above guidelines
LINDEN LANE APTS 141
75 servedGroundwater9 contaminants3 above guidelines
WILLIAMSBURG 207 209 AND 214
70 servedGroundwater11 contaminants2 above guidelines
MISSION LAKES II
68 servedGroundwater8 contaminants2 above guidelines
LAKEVIEW HEIGHTS MOBILE HOME PARK
66 servedGroundwater8 contaminants1 above guideline
LAUREL LAKES 508
50 servedGroundwater9 contaminants2 above guidelines
WILLIAMSBURG 206
48 servedGroundwater10 contaminants1 above guideline
PARKVIEW APARTMENTS
45 servedGroundwater16 contaminants1 above legal limit1 above guideline
HEIDEL RD APTS 139
40 servedGroundwater11 contaminants2 above guidelines
HEIDEL RD APTS 152
40 servedGroundwater11 contaminants2 above guidelines
RIVER SPRINGS APARTMENTS LLC
38 servedGroundwater5 contaminants1 above guideline
WILLIAMSBURG 220
32 servedGroundwater6 contaminants1 above guideline
RIVER GARDEN APTS
25 servedGroundwater10 contaminants2 above guidelines
Other cities in Milwaukee County
Water quality reports for nearby Wisconsin communities.
Frequently asked questions
Is Milwaukee, WI tap water safe to drink?
Milwaukee tap water has 1 contaminant currently measured above EPA legal standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels), and 36 above independent health guidelines. 22 contaminants have been detected in the water supply, including Lead, Nitrate, Copper, Radium, Uranium. View the detailed report for each water system to see specific levels, how they compare to both legal limits and health guidelines, and what actions to take.
What contaminants are in Milwaukee water?
Monitoring has detected 22 contaminants in Milwaukee's water supply: Lead, Nitrate, Copper, Radium, Uranium, Total Trihalomethanes, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Atrazine, Fluoride, Bromate, 2,4-D, Gross Beta, Chromium (total), Barium, PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic Acid), PFPeA (Perfluoropentanoic Acid), Antimony, Cyanide, Orthophosphate, Toc, Bromide, PFBA (Perfluorobutanoic Acid). Additionally, 6 PFAS compounds have been detected at trace levels. 1 of these are above EPA legal limits. 36 exceed health guidelines. See individual system reports for concentrations relative to EPA limits.
Does Milwaukee water have PFAS?
Yes. 6 PFAS compounds have been detected in Milwaukee'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.
Is Milwaukee water hard?
Yes. Milwaukee water has a hardness of 203 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.
Where does Milwaukee get its drinking water?
Milwaukee'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. Milwaukee is served by 21 water systems, the largest being MILWAUKEE WATERWORKS (serving 626,000 people).
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