WaterVerge

Is Boscobel, WI Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 8 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

3K residents served 2 water systems PWSID: WI1220089
Overall Score
88.7 / 100
Violations
8 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#107 of 446 in Wisconsin Top 21% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
88.7/100
waterverge.com
A- 88.7/100

Boscobel, WI — Water Quality Report

Boscobel's drinking water received a grade of A- (88.7 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 3,317 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 2.1 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 23 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Boscobel's water

Boscobel ranks #107 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

Boscobel 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 →
88.7 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
41.7/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 2.1 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Boscobel, WI water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Boscobel's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (88.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 3,317 residents using groundwater (wells).

8
Active Violations
2.1 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
5 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Boscobel

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Boscobel's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (88.7/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: E. COLI.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

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.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 2.1 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Boscobel's water system has 23 total violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

MROtherMCL
Most recent violations:
Aug 2021 E. COLI Open
Jul 2014 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Nov 2010 Public Notice Open
Oct 2010 Combined Radium (-226 and -228) Resolved
Sep 2010 Public Notice Open

Flood & environmental risk

Grant County has experienced 5 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.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3249
FLOODING, SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES
Flood FEMA DR-1369
SEVERE STORMS, ICING, WIND & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-496

Where does Boscobel's water come from?

Boscobel's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 3,317 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Boscobel residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Boscobel's water.

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

Boscobel'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
2.1 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 14% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

23
Total violations
7
Health-based
8
Active / unresolved
Aug 2021
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

23 Total
8 Active
7 Health-based
15 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
7
Nitrate Rule
5
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
3
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
3
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
Aug 2021 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2014 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Nov 2010 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Sep 2010 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
May 2010 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2007 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Oct 2010 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2010
Jul 2010 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2010
Apr 2010 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2010
Sep 2009 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2009
Jul 2008 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2008
Oct 2007 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Oct 2007
Jul 2007 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2007
Jan 2005 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jan 2005
Oct 2003 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Apr 2003 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2003
Jul 2002 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2002
Apr 2002 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2002
Showing 20 of 23 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Boscobel

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
MILK SPECIALTIES GLOBAL-BOSCOBEL
Food · MILK SPECIALTIES GLOBAL
BOSCOBEL, WI53805
0.6 mi
AMCOR WISCONSIN LLC
Plastics and Rubber · AMCOR FLEXIBLES NORTH AMERICA INC
BOSCOBEL, WI53805
0.8 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

5
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Grant County has experienced 5 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
Mar 1976
SEVERE STORMS, ICING, WIND & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #496
Jul 1969
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #264
May 1969
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #260

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 2.1 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 26.1 ppb from 1993 (28.2 ppb) to 2024 (2.1 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
3,317
Water Systems
2
Water Source

Where Boscobel's water comes from

Groundwater

Boscobel'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 3,317 people through 2 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Boscobel

System Name PWSID Population Source
BOSCOBEL WATERWORKS WI1220089 3,237 GW
COZY ACRES MHP WI1220088 80 GW
Regional Comparison

How Boscobel compares

Full Wisconsin rankings →

Boscobel's score of 88.7/100 is above the average of 65/100 among major Wisconsin cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Boscobel (this city)
88.7
Milwaukee
90.2
Madison
35.4
Racine
69.5
Kenosha
45.8
Wisconsin avg
65
City Profile

About Boscobel, WI

Economic Profile
$52,074
Median Income
$123,223
Median Home Value
$598/mo
Median Rent
4.7%
Unemployment
Community
40.3
Median Age
390
People / sq mi
15.8%
College Educated
61.8%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Boscobel, WI tap water safe to drink?

Boscobel's water quality earned a grade of A- (88.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #107 out of 446 cities tested in Wisconsin.

What contaminants are in Boscobel's water?

Lead was measured at 2.1 ppb (90th percentile). 23 violations are on record.

How is Boscobel'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 Boscobel?

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

Where does Boscobel's water come from?

Boscobel's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 3,317 residents.

What health violations has Boscobel's water system had?

Boscobel has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2021. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 8 violations remain unresolved.

Is Boscobel's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Boscobel 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 23 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 Boscobel's water compare to other cities?

Boscobel ranks #107 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin (better than 76% of state cities) and #3290 out of 15744 cities nationally (79th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.