WaterVerge

Is Grantsburg, WI Tap Water Safe to Drink?

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

2K residents served 2 water systems PWSID: WI8070310
Overall Score
81.1 / 100
Violations
8 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#243 of 446 in Wisconsin Top 48% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
81.1/100
waterverge.com
B+ 81.1/100

Grantsburg, WI — Water Quality Report

Grantsburg's drinking water received a grade of B+ (81.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,575 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 9 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Grantsburg's water

Grantsburg ranks #243 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
81.1 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
39.1/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
0/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Grantsburg, WI water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Grantsburg's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (81.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,575 residents using groundwater (wells).

8
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
3 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Grantsburg

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Grantsburg's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (81.1/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4383). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

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 Grantsburg's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Grantsburg's water system has 9 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

RPTOtherMR
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Aug 2022 Public Notice Open
Aug 2022 Public Notice Open
Aug 2022 Public Notice Open
Jan 2022 Lead and Copper Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Burnett 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.

SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4383
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3249
FLOODING, SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES
Flood FEMA DR-1369

Where does Grantsburg's water come from?

Grantsburg's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 1,575 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Grantsburg residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Grantsburg'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
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

9
Total violations
0
Health-based
8
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

9 Total
8 Active
0 Health-based
1 Resolved
Violations by category
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
4
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
1
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Ground Water Rule
1
Total Coliform Rule
1
Jul 2025 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Aug 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Aug 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Aug 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jan 2022 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Nov 2016 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2010 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Oct 2009 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2009
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Grantsburg

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
BURNETT DAIRY COOPERATIVE CHEESE PLANT
Food · BURNETT DAIRY COOPERATIVE
GRANTSBURG, WI54840
4.7 mi
PARKER HANNIFIN CORP
Fabricated Metals · PARKER HANNIFIN CORP
GRANTSBURG, WI54840
0.4 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

3
Declared disasters
Aug 2018
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Burnett 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.

Aug 2018
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4383
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3249
May 2001
FLOODING, SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES
Flood FEMA #1369

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 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 2.0 ppb from 1993 (2.0 ppb) to 2024 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,575
Water Systems
2
Water Source

Where Grantsburg's water comes from

Groundwater

Grantsburg'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 1,575 people through 2 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Grantsburg

System Name PWSID Population Source
GRANTSBURG WATERWORKS WI8070310 1,460 GW
BISTRAM MOBILE HOME PARK WI8070023 115 GW
Regional Comparison

How Grantsburg compares

Full Wisconsin rankings →

Grantsburg's score of 81.1/100 is above the average of 65/100 among major Wisconsin cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.

Grantsburg (this city)
81.1
Milwaukee
90.2
Madison
35.4
Racine
69.5
Kenosha
45.8
Wisconsin avg
65
City Profile

About Grantsburg, WI

Economic Profile
$44,808
Median Income
$135,518
Median Home Value
$758/mo
Median Rent
4.1%
Unemployment
Community
40.3
Median Age
176
People / sq mi
18.3%
College Educated
64.4%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Grantsburg, WI tap water safe to drink?

Grantsburg's water quality earned a grade of B+ (81.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #243 out of 446 cities tested in Wisconsin.

What contaminants are in Grantsburg's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 9 violations are on record.

How is Grantsburg'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 Grantsburg?

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

Where does Grantsburg's water come from?

Grantsburg's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,575 residents.

Is Grantsburg's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Grantsburg 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 9 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 Grantsburg's water compare to other cities?

Grantsburg ranks #243 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin (better than 46% of state cities) and #7595 out of 15744 cities nationally (52th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.