Is Balsam Lake, WI Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A, with 4 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
90.6/100
waterverge.com Balsam Lake, WI — Water Quality Report
Balsam Lake's drinking water received a grade of A (90.6 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,031 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 12 violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.
What to know about Balsam Lake's water
Balsam Lake ranks #70 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Balsam Lake 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.
As a small community water system, Balsam Lake may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Balsam Lake, WI water safe to drink?
Balsam Lake's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A (90.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,031 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Balsam Lake
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Balsam Lake's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90.6/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4459). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3249). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Balsam Lake's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Balsam Lake's water system has 12 total violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Polk County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 2001. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Balsam Lake's water come from?
Balsam Lake's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,031 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Balsam Lake residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Balsam Lake's water.
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.
Balsam Lake'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Flood & disaster history
Polk County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 2001. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 1.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Balsam Lake compares by contaminant
Explore where Balsam Lake ranks among all Wisconsin cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Balsam Lake's water comes from
Balsam Lake'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 1,031 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Balsam Lake
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BALSAM LAKE WATERWORKS | WI6490330 | 1,031 | GW |
How Balsam Lake compares
Full Wisconsin rankings →Balsam Lake's score of 90.6/100 is above the average of 65/100 among major Wisconsin cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Wisconsin rankings →About Balsam Lake, WI
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Balsam Lake's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Polk
Frequently asked questions
Is Balsam Lake, WI tap water safe to drink?
Balsam Lake's water quality earned a grade of A (90.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #70 out of 446 cities tested in Wisconsin.
What contaminants are in Balsam Lake's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 12 violations are on record.
How is Balsam Lake'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 Balsam Lake?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Balsam Lake's water come from?
Balsam Lake's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,031 residents.
What health violations has Balsam Lake's water system had?
Balsam Lake has 4 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2012. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 4 violations remain unresolved.
Is Balsam Lake's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Balsam Lake 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 12 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 Balsam Lake's water compare to other cities?
Balsam Lake ranks #70 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin (better than 84% of state cities) and #2136 out of 15744 cities nationally (86th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Balsam Lake's small water system affect quality?
Balsam Lake's system serves approximately 1,031 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 12 violations on record.