Madison
Is Madison tap water safe to drink?
Mostly yes — Madison scores 83/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 1 local system in Madison. We found 0 total violations (0 unresolved).
Real-Time Environment
Live: 02:30 PM☀️ No active precipitation. Rainfall can impact surface water turbidity and pollutant runoff in Madison.
Water Quality Impact
🛡️ Home Water Treatment Needs
Should you invest in filtration or softening for your home in Madison?
Expert Advice
Given the safety margin, a Carbon Block or sediment filter is recommended to improve taste and remove trace particulates.
Buying a Filter?
Wondering if Madison tap water needs filtering? We break it down.
Baby Formula Safety
Mixing baby formula with Madison tap water? Read this first.
Homebuyer's Perspective
If you're house-hunting in Madison, water quality belongs on your due-diligence checklist alongside schools and crime data. The high safety score (83/100) suggests lower risk for plumbing corrosion and appliance scaling.
Health & Family Safety
Residents should monitor Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) levels. Pregnant women and families with young children should consult the specific EPA health goals listed below.
View Health Risk Glossary →Compliance Record for Madison
Based on EPA SDWIS violation records and contaminant test results for all water systems serving Madison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madison tap water safe to drink?
Mostly yes — Madison scores 83/100.
How many water systems serve Madison?
Madison is served by 1 public water system in our latest EPA-backed dataset.
How can I check water quality for my exact address in Madison?
Use the WaterQ search tool to look up your ZIP code and view nearby systems, contaminant levels, and recent violations for Madison.
What is the water quality score for Madison?
The water quality score for Madison is 83 out of 100, based on EPA contaminant data, violation history, and testing results for all serving water systems.
What are the top contaminants in Madison?
The top contaminants detected in Madison include Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Atrazine, Gross Alpha Particle Activity. View detailed information on our contaminants page.
Madison Water Quality Summary
Madison, WI receives a water quality score of 83/100 (Grade B) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 7 public water systems serving the area.
Madison's water quality is above the national average, with strong compliance records and low contaminant levels. Residents generally receive clean, safe tap water that meets EPA standards.
Madison's score of 83 is 2 points below the Wisconsin state average of 85, and above the nationwide average of roughly 78/100 across all U.S. states.
As a large Wisconsin city set in the Upper Midwest's agricultural and dairy region, Madison draws its drinking water from several distinct systems, delivering a generally solid and reassuring level of quality to local taps. The presence of surrounding freshwater lakes and nearby farming activities highlights the active relationship between the local environment and the municipal water supply. For prospective homebuyers, this means enjoying a reliable overall standard of water, though characteristics may vary slightly depending on which of the city's separate distribution networks services a particular home.
Water quality data is sourced from the U.S. EPA SDWIS database and updated quarterly. Learn about our scoring methodology → Read our Wisconsin water quality rankings report →
Key Contaminants
Get notified if Madison's water quality changes
Free email alert when the EPA reports a new violation or boil-water advisory for your water system. No spam — just the alerts you asked for.
By subscribing you agree to receive occasional water-quality alert emails. Unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.
Water Systems Serving Madison (1)
Check Your Specific Address
Water quality can vary by neighborhood in Madison.
Related
Quick compare in Wisconsin
Compare Madison water quality: View all states · Contaminant library · How we score water quality