WaterVerge

Is Fontana, WI Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B-, with 16 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: WI2650128
Overall Score
74.2 / 100
Violations
16 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#328 of 446 in Wisconsin Top 63% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
74.2/100
waterverge.com
B- 74.2/100

Fontana, WI — Water Quality Report

Fontana's drinking water received a grade of B- (74.2 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,839 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 3.1 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 102 violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 16 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Fontana's water

Fontana ranks #328 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

Fontana 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, Fontana may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 7 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
74.2 out of 100 Grade B-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
26.2/45
D
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
18/20
A
Lead at 3.1 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Fontana, WI water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Fontana's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (74.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,839 residents using groundwater (wells).

16
Active Violations
3.1 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
3 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Fontana

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Fontana's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (74.2/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Violation
4 drinking water violations recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS, Public Notice.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

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

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, ICING, WIND & FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-496). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 3.1 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Fontana's water system has 102 total violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 16 remain unresolved. 7 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

RPTTTOtherMRMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Oct 2024 Public Notice Open
Oct 2024 Public Notice Open
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open

Flood & environmental risk

Walworth County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1973. 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 Jackson Creek, Delavan Lake Inlet, Delavan Lake Outlet, Piscasaw Creek, White River.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3249
SEVERE STORMS, ICING, WIND & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-496
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-376

Where does Fontana's water come from?

Fontana's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,839 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Jackson Creek (river), Delavan Lake Inlet (river), Delavan Lake Outlet (river), Piscasaw Creek (river), White River (river).

What Fontana residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

Monitor alerts during storms

Fontana'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
3.1 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 21% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

102
Total violations
8
Health-based
16
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

102 Total
16 Active
8 Health-based
86 Resolved
2 SNC
Violations by category
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
30
Volatile Organic Chemicals
21
Nitrate Rule
11
Inorganic Chemicals
11
Consumer Confidence Rule
8
Jul 2025 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Oct 2024 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2024 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2016 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2012 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2012 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2011 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2002 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2001 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2000 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2000 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2019 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2019
Jan 2019 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2019
Jan 2010 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2011
Jan 2010 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2011
Showing 20 of 102 violations
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

3
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Walworth County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1973. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3249
Mar 1976
SEVERE STORMS, ICING, WIND & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #496
Apr 1973
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #376

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 3.1 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 11.3 ppb from 1993 (14.4 ppb) to 2023 (3.1 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,839
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Fontana's water comes from

Groundwater

Fontana'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 1,839 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Fontana

Fontana is located near 5 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Jackson Creek
river
Delavan Lake Inlet
river
Delavan Lake Outlet
river
Piscasaw Creek
river
White River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Fontana

System Name PWSID Population Source
FONTANA WATER UTILITY WI2650128 1,839 GW
Regional Comparison

How Fontana compares

Full Wisconsin rankings →

Fontana's score of 74.2/100 is above the average of 65/100 among major Wisconsin cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.

Fontana (this city)
74.2
Milwaukee
90.2
Madison
35.4
Racine
69.5
Kenosha
45.8
Wisconsin avg
65
City Profile

About Fontana, WI

Wikipedia →

Fontana-on-Geneva Lake is a village located on Geneva Lake in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,120 at the 2020 census.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Fontana, WI tap water safe to drink?

Fontana's water quality earned a grade of B- (74.2/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #328 out of 446 cities tested in Wisconsin.

What contaminants are in Fontana's water?

Lead was measured at 3.1 ppb (90th percentile). 102 violations are on record.

How is Fontana'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 Fontana?

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

Where does Fontana's water come from?

Fontana's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,839 residents.

What health violations has Fontana's water system had?

Fontana has 8 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 16 violations remain unresolved.

Is Fontana's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Fontana 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 102 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 Fontana's water compare to other cities?

Fontana ranks #328 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin (better than 26% of state cities) and #9916 out of 15744 cities nationally (37th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Fontana's small water system affect quality?

Fontana's system serves approximately 1,839 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 102 violations on record.