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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 53701 Water Quality & Testing Report

Madison, WI · Dane County County · Updated for 2026

Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 53701 (Madison, WI)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 53701 (Madison, WI) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of C (59/100) due to 3 health violation(s) and 1.8 ppb lead. While treated by Madison Water Utility, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

3

Total Violations

11

Lead Risk

N/A

Contaminants

2

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 4 unresolved violations. Contact Madison Water Utility for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 53701

Tap water in ZIP code 53701 (Madison, WI) is distributed by Madison Water Utility (EPA ID: WI1130224), serving approximately 272,000 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of C with a composite quality score of 59/100.

Water System

Madison Water Utility

EPA ID: WI1130224

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

272,000 residents

County

Dane County County, Wisconsin

🧪

Lead Levels in ZIP 53701

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 1.8 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 53701 is 1.8 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.
Lead Level (90th percentile)
1.80 ppb (0.0018 mg/L)
Copper Level (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L

1.6 mg/L
Lead (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

1.8 ppb
Copper (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

150 ppb
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Unknown
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Hard9.3 GPG · 159 mg/L

Water in ZIP 53701 is Hard (159 mg/L / 9.3 GPG). Residents may notice white mineral spots on glassware, reduced soap efficiency, and mineral scale on faucets and showerheads.

Recommendation: An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

9.3 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

159 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Madison Water Utility · PWSID: WI1130224

Verify on EPA.gov
📋

Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Madison Water Utility has recorded 3 health-based violations out of 11 total violations over the past 5 years. 4 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
11
Health-Based Violations
3
Unresolved Violations
4
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Critical based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 2 contaminants with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Stage 2 DBP Rule, Gross Beta.

Stage 2 DBP RuleGross Beta

From Consumer Confidence Report:

Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) (3.1 ppb); Chloride (210 ppm); Manganese (45 ppb); Copper (150 ppm)

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 10 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Ground Water

This system draws water from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through soil and rock, but can still contain naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, radium, or nitrates.

Water Source Type
Ground Water
CCR Source Classification
Groundwater wells (deep sandstone aquifer)
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 53701

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 53701 served by Madison Water Utility can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in WI for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 53701 Recommendations

  • ⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • ⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
  • ⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • ⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Specifically certified to reduce lead and copper at the tap.

Lead Filter Guide →
⚗️

NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Advanced filtration for PFAS, fluoride, nitrates, and organic chemicals.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 53701 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 53701?+
Tap water in 53701 (Madison, WI) meets major standards but has a grade of C due to minor past violations. Vulnerable populations may want to use a certified filter as a precaution.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 53701 (Madison, WI)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 53701, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in WI. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 53701?+
Tap water in 53701 is classified as Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 159 mg/L (9.3 GPG). An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Should I test private well water in 53701?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 53701 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 53701 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 53701 is 1.8 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 53701?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 53701. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 53701?+
Tap water in ZIP code 53701 is provided by Madison Water Utility (EPA ID: WI1130224), serving approximately 272,000 residents.
What water filter should I use in 53701?+
Based on water metrics for 53701, we recommend Reverse Osmosis (PFAS & Lead). Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Chemical Contaminants), NSF/ANSI 42 (Aesthetic Effects).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 53701 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Madison Water Utility. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →