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Water Quality Report

Racine, WI

Racine County · 128,750 residents · 4 water systems

18

Contaminants detected

5

PFAS compounds

140

Hardness (mg/L)

0

Above legal limits

6

Above health guidelines

Racine drinking water comes from a mix of groundwater and surface water sources. Based on the most recent monitoring data, 18 contaminants have been detected in the water supply, including Lead, Nitrate, Arsenic, Copper, and 14 others. PFAS compounds have been detected at trace levels in Racine water. Water hardness is 140 mg/L (hard), which is within a typical range for the region.

Contaminants detected in Racine water

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

Lead0.0033 / 0.015 mg/L
22% of EPA limit
Nitrate0.34 / 10 mg/L
3% of EPA limit
Arsenic0.0011 / 0.01 mg/L
11% of EPA limit
Copper260 / 1300 ug/L
20% of EPA limit
Radium0.2306 / 5 pCi/L
5% of EPA limit
Uranium0.169 / 30 ug/L
1% of EPA limit
Total Trihalomethanes34 / 80 ug/L
42% of EPA limit
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)16.1 / 60 ug/L
27% of EPA limit
Atrazine0.03 / 3 ug/L
1% of EPA limit
Nickel0.00076 mg/L
UnregulatedInorganic
Selenium0.0032 / 0.05 mg/L
6% of EPA limit
Fluoride0.69 / 4 mg/L
17% of EPA limit
Barium0.018 / 2 mg/L
1% of EPA limit
Metolachlor0.011 ug/L
UnregulatedVOC
PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic Acid)0.96 ng/L
UnregulatedPFAS
Toc2.1 mg/L
Unregulated
Phosphorus Total340 ug/L
Unregulated
Orthophosphate890 ug/L
Unregulated
PFAS (5 compounds detected)
Microplastics (not routinely tested)

Water systems serving Racine

RACINE WATERWORKS

105,100 servedSurface water18 contaminants2 above guidelines
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CALEDONIA WATER UTILITY - VILLAGE OF

21,819 servedSurface water5 contaminants2 above guidelines
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WIND POINT WATER DEPT

1,804 servedSurface water4 contaminants1 above guideline
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BRISTOL HEIGHTS MHP

27 servedGroundwater0 contaminants1 above guideline
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Other cities in Racine County

Water quality reports for nearby Wisconsin communities.

BurlingtonKansasvilleMt PleasantSturtevantUnion GroveWaterford

Frequently asked questions

Is Racine, WI tap water safe to drink?
Racine 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. 18 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 Racine water?
Monitoring has detected 18 contaminants in Racine's water supply: Lead, Nitrate, Arsenic, Copper, Radium, Uranium, Total Trihalomethanes, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Atrazine, Nickel, Selenium, Fluoride, Barium, Metolachlor, PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic Acid), Toc, Phosphorus Total, Orthophosphate. Additionally, 5 PFAS compounds have been detected at trace levels. 6 exceed health guidelines. See individual system reports for concentrations relative to EPA limits.
Does Racine water have PFAS?
Yes. 5 PFAS compounds have been detected in Racine'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 Racine water hard?
Yes. Racine water has a hardness of 140 mg/L (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 Racine get its drinking water?
Racine'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. Racine is served by 4 water systems, the largest being RACINE WATERWORKS (serving 105,100 people).

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