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Water Quality Report

West Salem, WI

La Crosse County · 5,370 residents · 3 water systems

13

Contaminants detected

0

PFAS compounds

225

Hardness (mg/L)

0

Above legal limits

3

Above health guidelines

West Salem 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 testing has been conducted with no detections. Water hardness is 225 mg/L (very hard), which can cause scale buildup in appliances and reduce soap effectiveness.

Contaminants detected in West Salem water

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

Lead0.0013 / 0.015 mg/L
9% of EPA limit
Nitrate0.003 / 10 mg/L
0% of EPA limit
Copper62.6 / 1300 ug/L
5% of EPA limit
Radium2 / 5 pCi/L
39% of EPA limit
Gross Alpha Radiation1.4 / 15 pCi/L
9% of EPA limit
8% of EPA limit
25% of EPA limit
Selenium0.002 / 0.05 mg/L
4% of EPA limit
Fluoride0.73 / 4 mg/L
18% of EPA limit
Antimony0.003 / 0.006 mg/L
50% of EPA limit
Barium0.0094 / 2 mg/L
0% of EPA limit
Styrene6.1 / 100 ug/L
6% of EPA limit
Mercury (inorganic)0.0001 / 0.002 mg/L
5% of EPA limit
PFAS (tested — none detected)
Microplastics (not routinely tested)

Other cities in La Crosse County

Water quality reports for nearby Wisconsin communities.

Frequently asked questions

Is West Salem, WI tap water safe to drink?
West Salem tap water meets EPA legal standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels). However, 3 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, Gross Alpha Radiation. 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 West Salem water?
Monitoring has detected 13 contaminants in West Salem's water supply: Lead, Nitrate, Copper, Radium, Gross Alpha Radiation, Total Trihalomethanes, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Selenium, Fluoride, Antimony, Barium, Styrene, Mercury (inorganic). 3 exceed health guidelines. See individual system reports for concentrations relative to EPA limits.
Does West Salem water have PFAS?
West Salem'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 West Salem water hard?
Yes. West Salem water has a hardness of 225 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 West Salem get its drinking water?
West Salem'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. West Salem is served by 3 water systems, the largest being WEST SALEM WATERWORKS (serving 5,045 people).

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