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Water Quality Report

Sturgeon Bay, WI

Door County · 9,700 residents · 1 water system

13

Contaminants detected

5

PFAS compounds

340

Hardness (mg/L)

0

Above legal limits

2

Above health guidelines

Sturgeon Bay drinking water comes from groundwater wells. Based on the most recent monitoring data, 13 contaminants have been detected in the water supply, including Lead, Nitrate, Copper, Radium, and 9 others. PFAS compounds have been detected at trace levels in Sturgeon Bay water. Water hardness is 340 mg/L (very hard), which can cause scale buildup in appliances and reduce soap effectiveness.

Contaminants detected in Sturgeon Bay water

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

Lead0.0036 / 0.015 mg/L
24% of EPA limit
Nitrate4.5 / 10 mg/L
45% of EPA limit
Copper239 / 1300 ug/L
18% of EPA limit
Radium1.3 / 5 pCi/L
27% of EPA limit
Uranium1.1 / 30 ug/L
4% of EPA limit
Gross Alpha Radiation1.5 / 15 pCi/L
10% of EPA limit
Total Trihalomethanes22.4 / 80 ug/L
28% of EPA limit
22% of EPA limit
Nickel0.002 mg/L
UnregulatedInorganic
Selenium0.0012 / 0.05 mg/L
2% of EPA limit
PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic Acid)0.9 ng/L
UnregulatedPFAS
Fluoride0.776 / 4 mg/L
19% of EPA limit
Barium0.053 / 2 mg/L
3% of EPA limit
PFAS (5 compounds detected)
Microplastics (not routinely tested)

Other cities in Door County

Water quality reports for nearby Wisconsin communities.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sturgeon Bay, WI tap water safe to drink?
Sturgeon Bay 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. 13 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 and how they compare to both legal limits and health guidelines.
What contaminants are in Sturgeon Bay water?
Monitoring has detected 13 contaminants in Sturgeon Bay's water supply: Lead, Nitrate, Copper, Radium, Uranium, Gross Alpha Radiation, Total Trihalomethanes, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Nickel, Selenium, PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic Acid), Fluoride, Barium. Additionally, 5 PFAS compounds have been detected at trace levels. 2 exceed health guidelines. See individual system reports for concentrations relative to EPA limits.
Does Sturgeon Bay water have PFAS?
Yes. 5 PFAS compounds have been detected in Sturgeon Bay'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 Sturgeon Bay water hard?
Yes. Sturgeon Bay water has a hardness of 340 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 Sturgeon Bay get its drinking water?
Sturgeon Bay'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. Sturgeon Bay is served by one water system: STURGEON BAY WATERWORKS.

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