WaterVerge

Is Arcadia, WI Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A+, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

4K residents served 1 water system PWSID: WI6620319
Overall Score
95.6 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#6 of 446 in Wisconsin Top 2% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
95.6/100
waterverge.com
A+ 95.6/100

Arcadia, WI — Water Quality Report

Arcadia's drinking water received a grade of A+ (95.6 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,737 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.8 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 24 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Arcadia's water

Arcadia ranks #6 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

Arcadia relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
95.6 out of 100 Grade A+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
43.6/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.8 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Arcadia, WI water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Arcadia's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A+ (95.6/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,737 residents using groundwater (wells).

1
Active Violations
1.8 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
4 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Arcadia

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Arcadia's water quality assessment. Grade: A+ (95.6/100).

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3249). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
FLOODING, SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-1369). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
23 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Styrene, Nitrate, 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Arcadia's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.8 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Arcadia's water system has 24 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.

MR
Most recent violations:
Jan 1993 Styrene Resolved
Jan 1993 Nitrate Resolved
Jan 1993 Nitrate Resolved
Jan 1993 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene Resolved
Jan 1993 Tetrachloroethylene Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Trempealeau County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Trempealeau River.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3249
FLOODING, SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES
Flood FEMA DR-1369
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-964

Where does Arcadia's water come from?

Arcadia's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 3,737 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Trempealeau River (river).

What Arcadia residents can do

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Monitor alerts during storms

Arcadia's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
1.8 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 12% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

24
Total violations
0
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Jan 1993
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

24 Total
1 Active
0 Health-based
23 Resolved
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
21
Nitrate Rule
2
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 1993 Resolved
Styrene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
Tetrachloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
CHLOROBENZENE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
Trichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
Xylenes, Total
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
DICHLOROMETHANE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
1,1-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
Carbon tetrachloride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
1,2-Dichloropropane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
p-Dichlorobenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
Vinyl chloride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
Ethylbenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
1,2-Dichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Showing 20 of 24 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Arcadia

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Arcadia, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
PILGRIM'S ARCADIA FEEDMILL
Food · JBS USA FOOD CO
ARCADIA, WI54612
1.3 mi
NELSON GLOBAL INC-ARCADIA
Transportation Equipment · NELSON GLOBAL PRODUCTS INC
ARCADIA, WI54612
0.7 mi
PILGRIM'S ARCADIA PROCESSING PLANT
Food · JBS USA FOOD CO
ARCADIA, WI54612
1.1 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

4
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Trempealeau County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3249
May 2001
FLOODING, SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES
Flood FEMA #1369
Sep 1992
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #964
May 1969
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #260

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.8 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 6.6 ppb from 1993 (8.5 ppb) to 2023 (1.8 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
3,737
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Arcadia's water comes from

Groundwater

Arcadia's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 3,737 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Arcadia

Arcadia is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Trempealeau River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Arcadia

System Name PWSID Population Source
ARCADIA WATERWORKS WI6620319 3,737 GW
Regional Comparison

How Arcadia compares

Full Wisconsin rankings →

Arcadia's score of 95.6/100 is above the average of 65/100 among major Wisconsin cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Arcadia (this city)
95.6
Milwaukee
90.2
Madison
35.4
Racine
69.5
Kenosha
45.8
Wisconsin avg
65
City Profile

About Arcadia, WI

Economic Profile
$62,008
Median Income
$148,651
Median Home Value
$924/mo
Median Rent
4.4%
Unemployment
Community
29.2
Median Age
433
People / sq mi
15.6%
College Educated
55.6%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Arcadia, WI tap water safe to drink?

Arcadia's water quality earned a grade of A+ (95.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #6 out of 446 cities tested in Wisconsin.

What contaminants are in Arcadia's water?

Lead was measured at 1.8 ppb (90th percentile). 24 violations are on record.

How is Arcadia's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Arcadia?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Arcadia's water come from?

Arcadia's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 3,737 residents.

Is Arcadia's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Arcadia uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 24 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Arcadia's water compare to other cities?

Arcadia ranks #6 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin (better than 99% of state cities) and #296 out of 15744 cities nationally (98th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.