States › Wisconsin › Lincoln County

Lincoln County, WI Water Quality

Water quality data for 4 public water systems serving Lincoln County, Wisconsin — based on EPA SDWIS enforcement records, lead testing results, and health-based violation history.

📅 2026 Report 🔄 Data updated 2026 Q2 📍 4 water systems · 7 cities
⚠️
Caution Advised — Some Systems Need Attention

Some systems have elevated lead levels or active violations. Check your specific city below.

C

Lincoln County Earns a C

Lincoln County: 7 communities across 4 water systems. 71.4% have no open violations.

  • Median lead where detected: 0.42 ppb
  • 7 communities with a lead detection, 0 reporting none detected
  • 2 communities with PFAS above the federal limit
  • 1 with significant inspection deficiencies
  • 71.4% of communities have no open violations
0.42 ppb
Median Lead Level
County-wide, 90th percentile
4
Water Systems
Active CWS & NTNCWS
71%
Violation-Free
No active violations on record
How we grade counties: MyWaterIQ uses EPA SDWIS enforcement data — actual MCL violations and lead test results — not the aspirational MCLG targets used by some sites. A grade reflects real compliance history, not theoretical risk. Learn more →

Cities by Water Quality

⭐ Best Performing
  • Birch
    0.42 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
  • Merrill
    0.26 ppb
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    A
  • Merrill
    0.26 ppb
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    A
  • Scott
    0.26 ppb
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    A
  • Pine River
    9.85 ppb
    2 significant inspection deficiencies
    B
⚠ Needs Attention
  • Tomahawk
    1.80 ppb
    PFAS above the limit at 2 of 2 sampling points
    F
  • Bradley
    1.80 ppb
    PFAS above the limit at 2 of 2 sampling points
    F
  • Pine River
    9.85 ppb
    2 significant inspection deficiencies
    B
  • Merrill
    0.26 ppb
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    A
  • Merrill
    0.26 ppb
    1 health-based violation since 2015
    A
County Lead Level — Median 0.42 ppb
Based on most recent 90th percentile lead tests across all reporting systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
County median: 0.42 ppb — 2.8% of the federal action level
Systems by Lead Level
Under 5 ppb
6
5 – 10 ppb
1

All Cities in Lincoln County

Merrill 0.26 ppb A
Tomahawk 1.80 ppb F
Pine River 9.85 ppb B
Bradley 1.80 ppb F
Merrill 0.26 ppb A
Scott 0.26 ppb A
Birch 0.42 ppb B
Showing 7 cities
No active violations Active violations

About Lincoln County Drinking Water

Lincoln County is served by 4 water systems covering 7 communities. 71% have no open violations.

Of the communities reporting lead results, 7 recorded a detection, with a median of 0.42 ppb — 3% of the federal action level. 0 reported none detected, which means below the laboratory limit rather than an absence of lead.

2 of 7 communities have PFAS above the limits EPA set in 2024, measured as a running annual average at each sampling point. State inspectors recorded significant deficiencies at 1 of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lincoln County tap water safe to drink?▼
71% of communities have no open violation. 2 of 7 have PFAS above the federal limit, which is the main open concern.
What is the lead level in Lincoln County?▼
Among communities with a detection the median is 0.42 ppb, 3% of the 15 ppb action level. 0 reported none detected and 0 reported no result.
How many water systems serve Lincoln County?▼
4 community water systems serve 7 communities here.
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