Is Eleva, WI Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D, with 14 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
48/100
waterverge.com Eleva, WI — Water Quality Report
Eleva's drinking water received a grade of D (48 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 635 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 4.0 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 112 violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved.
What to know about Eleva's water
Eleva ranks #420 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
Eleva 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, Eleva may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 71 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Eleva, WI water safe to drink?
Eleva's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (48/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 635 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Eleva
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Eleva's water quality assessment. Grade: D (48/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS, Public Notice, Xylenes, Total.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Simazine.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3249). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
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 Eleva's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Eleva's water system has 112 total violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved. 71 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
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.
Where does Eleva's water come from?
Eleva's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 635 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Eleva residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Eleva'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.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
Eleva'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
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.
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. | 4.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Eleva compares by contaminant
Explore where Eleva ranks among all Wisconsin cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Eleva's water comes from
Eleva'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 635 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Eleva
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELEVA WATERWORKS | WI6620270 | 635 | GW |
How Eleva compares
Full Wisconsin rankings →Eleva's score of 48/100 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 →About Eleva, WI
Wikipedia →Eleva is a village within the Town of Albion in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States, situated along the Buffalo River. The population was 670 at the 2010 Census and reached 685 in the 2020 Census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Eleva's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Trempealeau
Frequently asked questions
Is Eleva, WI tap water safe to drink?
Eleva's water quality earned a grade of D (48/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #420 out of 446 cities tested in Wisconsin.
What contaminants are in Eleva's water?
Lead was measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile). 112 violations are on record.
How is Eleva'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 Eleva?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Eleva's water come from?
Eleva's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 635 residents.
What health violations has Eleva's water system had?
Eleva has 5 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in April 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 14 violations remain unresolved.
Is Eleva's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Eleva 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 112 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 Eleva's water compare to other cities?
Eleva ranks #420 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin (better than 6% of state cities) and #13548 out of 15744 cities nationally (14th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Eleva's small water system affect quality?
Eleva's system serves approximately 635 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 112 violations on record.