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Water Quality Report

Waunakee, WI

Dane County · 15,999 residents · 5 water systems

16

Contaminants detected

0

PFAS compounds

260

Hardness (mg/L)

0

Above legal limits

5

Above health guidelines

Waunakee drinking water comes from groundwater wells. Based on the most recent monitoring data, 16 contaminants have been detected in the water supply, including Lead, Nitrate, Copper, Radon, and 12 others. PFAS testing has been conducted with no detections. Water hardness is 260 mg/L (very hard), which can cause scale buildup in appliances and reduce soap effectiveness.

Contaminants detected in Waunakee water

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

Lead0.0017 / 0.015 mg/L
11% of EPA limit
Nitrate0.1 / 10 mg/L
1% of EPA limit
Copper1.7 / 1300 ug/L
0% of EPA limit
Radon140 pCi/L
UnregulatedRadionuclide
Radium2 / 5 pCi/L
40% of EPA limit
Uranium0.417 / 30 ug/L
1% of EPA limit
Gross Alpha Radiation1.4 / 15 pCi/L
9% of EPA limit
Tetrachloroethylene2.1 / 5 ug/L
42% of EPA limit
4% of EPA limit
2% of EPA limit
Atrazine0.0081 / 3 ug/L
0% of EPA limit
Nickel0.0012 mg/L
UnregulatedInorganic
Fluoride0.812 / 4 mg/L
20% of EPA limit
Chromium (total)0.0015 / 0.1 mg/L
2% of EPA limit
Barium0.03 / 2 mg/L
2% of EPA limit
Methyl Tert Butyl Ether1.4 ug/L
Unregulated
PFAS (tested — none detected)
Microplastics (not routinely tested)

Other cities in Dane County

Water quality reports for nearby Wisconsin communities.

Frequently asked questions

Is Waunakee, WI tap water safe to drink?
Waunakee tap water meets EPA legal standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels). However, 5 contaminants are present above independent health guidelines, which are often stricter than legal limits. 16 contaminants have been detected in the water supply, including Lead, Nitrate, Copper, Radon, 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 Waunakee water?
Monitoring has detected 16 contaminants in Waunakee's water supply: Lead, Nitrate, Copper, Radon, Radium, Uranium, Gross Alpha Radiation, Tetrachloroethylene, Total Trihalomethanes, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Atrazine, Nickel, Fluoride, Chromium (total), Barium, Methyl Tert Butyl Ether. 5 exceed health guidelines. See individual system reports for concentrations relative to EPA limits.
Does Waunakee water have PFAS?
Waunakee'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.
Is Waunakee water hard?
Yes. Waunakee water has a hardness of 260 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 Waunakee get its drinking water?
Waunakee'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. Waunakee is served by 5 water systems, the largest being WAUNAKEE WATERWORKS (serving 14,879 people).

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