WaterQ
Wisconsin State Report All States
Official Status: March 2026

Is Milwaukee tap water safe to drink?

✓ Generally Safe
A

Mostly yes — Milwaukee scores 95/100.

Safety Score
95
out of 100

Still not sure if you need a filter in Milwaukee?

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Milwaukee

Wisconsin

View Wisconsin state report Data updated: Mar 2026

Is Milwaukee tap water safe to drink?

Mostly yes — Milwaukee scores 95/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 2 local systems in Milwaukee. We found 0 total violations (0 unresolved).

Real-Time Environment

Live: 08:00 PM
0mm Precipitation

☀️ No active precipitation. Rainfall can impact surface water turbidity and pollutant runoff in Milwaukee.

Water Quality Impact

✅ Minimal Impact Localized weather conditions may influence test result variability.

🛡️ Home Water Treatment Needs

Should you invest in filtration or softening for your home in Milwaukee?

Requirement Status
Optional
🟢
💡

Expert Advice

Your water quality is excellent. Standard filtration is optional but can further enhance taste.

Buying a Filter?

Filter or no filter for Milwaukee water? Here's what the data says.

Baby Formula Safety

What new parents in Milwaukee should know about tap water safety.

Homebuyer's Perspective

Water quality is easy to overlook when evaluating a move to Milwaukee, but it can affect plumbing longevity and appliance lifespan. The high safety score (95/100) suggests lower risk for plumbing corrosion and appliance scaling.

Property Impact: Positive / Stable

Health & Family Safety

Residents should monitor Barium levels. Pregnant women and families with young children should consult the specific EPA health goals listed below.

View Health Risk Glossary →

Compliance Record for Milwaukee

0
Violations (5yr)
0
Unresolved
8
Contaminants Tracked
3
Exceeding EPA Limit

Based on EPA SDWIS violation records and contaminant test results for all water systems serving Milwaukee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Milwaukee tap water safe to drink?

Mostly yes — Milwaukee scores 95/100.

How many water systems serve Milwaukee?

Milwaukee is served by 2 public water systems in our latest EPA-backed dataset.

How can I check water quality for my exact address in Milwaukee?

Use the WaterQ search tool to look up your ZIP code and view nearby systems, contaminant levels, and recent violations for Milwaukee.

What is the water quality score for Milwaukee?

The water quality score for Milwaukee is 95 out of 100, based on EPA contaminant data, violation history, and testing results for all serving water systems.

What are the top contaminants in Milwaukee?

The top contaminants detected in Milwaukee include Barium, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Fluoride. View detailed information on our contaminants page.

Water Quality Score
95/100
Grade
A
Water Systems
5
Population
678,835

Milwaukee Water Quality Summary

Milwaukee, WI receives a water quality score of 95/100 (Grade A) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 5 public water systems serving the area.

Milwaukee'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.

Milwaukee's score of 95 is 10 points above the Wisconsin state average of 85, and above the nationwide average of roughly 78/100 across all U.S. states.

As a large city set within the Upper Midwest's landscape of freshwater lakes and productive agricultural and dairy land, Milwaukee manages its resources through five distinct water systems to deliver exceptional quality to its residents. For prospective homebuyers or current locals, this translates to high-performing water infrastructure that consistently secures top-tier safety marks. Having multiple systems in this lake-rich region ensures a reliable supply, giving households peace of mind regarding the safety of their tap water.

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

Barium Violation
3.8165 / 2 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 2 mg/L
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Violation
74.5694 / 60 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 60 μg/L
Fluoride Violation
4.4765 / 4 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 4 mg/L
Radium-226
4.8774 / 5 pCi/L
0 pCi/L MCL: 5 pCi/L
Perchlorate
50.6147 / 56 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 56 μg/L
Arsenic
8.3833 / 10 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 10 μg/L
Nitrate
6.8093 / 10 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 10 mg/L
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
0.0026 / 0.004 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 0.004 μg/L

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Water Systems Serving Milwaukee (2)

Related

Compare Milwaukee water quality: View all states · Contaminant library · How we score water quality