Is Crandon, WI Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D+, with 19 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
50/100
waterverge.com Crandon, WI — Water Quality Report
Crandon's drinking water received a grade of D+ (50 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 4,742 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 2.9 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 298 violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 19 remain unresolved.
What to know about Crandon's water
Crandon ranks #411 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
Crandon 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.
The system has seen 33 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Crandon, WI water safe to drink?
Crandon's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (50/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 4,742 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Crandon
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Crandon's water quality assessment. Grade: D+ (50/100).
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS, Public Notice.
Contaminants: Chlorine, CYANIDE, Arsenic.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4459). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3249). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Crandon's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Crandon's water system has 298 total violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 19 remain unresolved. 33 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Forest County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 2005. 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 Crandon's water come from?
Crandon's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 5 water systems serving approximately 4,742 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Crandon residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Crandon'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.
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
Forest County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 2005. 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. | 2.9 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Crandon compares by contaminant
Explore where Crandon ranks among all Wisconsin cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Crandon's water comes from
Crandon'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 4,742 people through 5 water systems.
Water systems serving Crandon
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRANDON WATERWORKS | WI7210107 | 1,958 | GW |
| MOLE LAKE | 055295601 | 1,260 | GW |
| STONE LAKE COMMUNITY | 055295201 | 851 | GW |
| CARTER COMMUNITY | 055295205 | 634 | GW |
| BLACKWELL COMMUNITY | 055295207 | 39 | GW |
How Crandon compares
Full Wisconsin rankings →Crandon's score of 50/100 is below the average of 65/100 among major Wisconsin cities. It outscores 3 of 10 nearby cities. 7 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View Wisconsin rankings →ZIP codes served by Crandon
The water systems serving Crandon cover 1 ZIP code. Select any ZIP to see which water systems serve that area.
About Crandon, WI
Wikipedia →Crandon is a city in Forest County, Wisconsin, United States; it is in the northeastern part of the state, about 100 miles (160 km) north of Green Bay. The population was 1,713 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Forest County and is the only incorporated community in the county. The city is located adjacent to the Town of Crandon.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Crandon's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Forest
Frequently asked questions
Is Crandon, WI tap water safe to drink?
Crandon's water quality earned a grade of D+ (50/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #411 out of 446 cities tested in Wisconsin.
What contaminants are in Crandon's water?
Lead was measured at 2.9 ppb (90th percentile). 298 violations are on record.
How is Crandon'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 Crandon?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Crandon's water come from?
Crandon's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 5 water systems serving approximately 4,742 residents.
What health violations has Crandon's water system had?
Crandon has 8 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 19 violations remain unresolved.
Is Crandon's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Crandon 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 298 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 Crandon's water compare to other cities?
Crandon ranks #411 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin (better than 8% of state cities) and #13070 out of 15744 cities nationally (17th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.