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La Crosse, WI Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for La Crosse, WI — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at La Crosse's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: La Crosse Waterworks PWSID: WI6320309 Updated: 2026 Q2
⚠️

PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 10 sampling points

Lead is 10.90 ppb, 73% of the action level and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 10 sampling points, running as high as 1.23 times the limit.

C

La Crosse earns a C for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: 10.90 ppb — 73% of the federal action level
PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 10 sampling points
16 violations since 2015, 0 health-based
No violations currently open
La Crosse's lead level vs. all Wisconsin community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: 10.90 ppb — 73% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than 5% of Wisconsin utilities
Population Served
52242
~16176 connections
Water Source
Groundwater
Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
Active Violations
0
16 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
73% of EPA action level
10.90 ppb
Action level: 15 ppb
The 90th-percentile lead result is 10.90 ppb, 73% of the 15 ppb federal action level. The action level is a treatment trigger, not a legal maximum, and it is measured across sampled taps rather than at any single home.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

ContaminantTypeMeasuredLimitPeriodStatus
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2023 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2021 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2019 Resolved
Nitrate MONITORING AND REPORTING — 10 mg/L 2019 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2017–2020 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2017–2020 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2017–2020 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2017–2020 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2017–2020 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2017–2020 Resolved
Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

16 violations are on record since 2015, of which 0 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility La Crosse Waterworks
PWSID WI6320309
Water source Groundwater — Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
Population served 52,242
Service connections 16,176
Systems serving this area 6
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is La Crosse tap water safe to drink? ▼
It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 10 sampling points. No violations are currently open. Lead is 10.90 ppb, 73% of the action level.
Does La Crosse water have PFAS? ▼
Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 10 sampling points, running as high as 1.23 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.
Who supplies water to La Crosse? ▼
La Crosse Waterworks (PWSID WI6320309), one of 6 systems serving this area. Groundwater. Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2023-11-08. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should La Crosse Residents Do?

1
Consider a reverse-osmosis filter
Reverse osmosis removes more than 95% of PFAS. Standard carbon pitchers do not.
2
Check for a lead service line
Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.
3
Flush before drinking
If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

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