Drinking water quality · 2024
· Verified
What's in Milwaukee, WI tap water
56 contaminants were measured in the Milwaukee, WI water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 56
- Over federal limit
- 0
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Service area
- WI
state-level CCR
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 1.61 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 5.3 ug/L90th percentileAt the tap | 15 ug/LAction level | Within the limit |
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.061 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 1.3 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| Antimony | 0.17 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 6 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.02 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 2 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| Chromium, TotalTotal chromium — the sum of all chromium forms, from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.8 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 100 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 34 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. | 0.15 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| LithiumA naturally occurring element found in some groundwater. | 2.1 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 12 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 1.5 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SilicaA naturally occurring compound from sand and rock. | 2.2 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Strontium | 113 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.64 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0.3 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 10 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| Ammonia | 0.28 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| BromideA naturally occurring salt found in source water. | 20 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Bromochloroacetic acidA mixed-halogen haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 0.99 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. | 2.2 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | 20 ng/LPublic health goal | Within the limit |
| PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. | 2.2 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | 20 ng/LPublic health goal | Within the limit |
| 11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)ADONA, a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| 4:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS)4:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| 8:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS)8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acidHFPO-DA ('GenX chemicals'), a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acidNonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)Perfluorodecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)Perfluorododecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acidPerfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorohexanoic acidPerfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorononanoic acidPerfluorononanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoropentanoic acidPerfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA)Perfluorotetradecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)Perfluorotridecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)Perfluoroundecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 8.6 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 80 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 2 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 60 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Chlorite | 0 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 0.8 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. | 2.2 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | Detected — no federal limit |
| Bromodichloroacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 0.99 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| ChlorateA byproduct that can form during disinfection, especially when hypochlorite solutions degrade. | 105 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| PerchlorateA chemical used in rocket fuel and fireworks that can also form during disinfection. | 0.1 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
VOCs & pesticides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AtrazineA widely used agricultural herbicide that reaches water through runoff. | 0.02 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 3 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 1.44 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Total Solids | 191 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Source: Milwaukee, WI's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. utility is required to publish. The numbers on this page are the utility's own. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
People also ask about Milwaukee, WI's water
+Is Milwaukee, WI tap water safe to drink in 2024?
Every one of the 56 contaminants measured in Milwaukee, WI's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report is below its federal limit. "Safe" under the EPA's drinking-water standards is health-based, not aesthetic — but by those standards, no measured contaminant in this report exceeds its enforceable threshold. Individual health concerns (e.g. immunocompromised, infant, pregnancy) may warrant additional filtering regardless of compliance.
+What contaminants are in Milwaukee, WI tap water?
56 contaminants were measured in Milwaukee, WI's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning pfas ("forever chemicals"), metals, and disinfection byproducts. 15 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Milwaukee, WI's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is Milwaukee, WI's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.