WaterVerge

Is Milltown, WI Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 5 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

915 residents served 1 water system PWSID: WI6490339
Overall Score
90.4 / 100
Violations
5 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#76 of 446 in Wisconsin Top 14% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
90.4/100
waterverge.com
A 90.4/100

Milltown, WI — Water Quality Report

Milltown's drinking water received a grade of A (90.4 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 915 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 3.0 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 14 violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Milltown's water

Milltown ranks #76 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
90.4 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
43.4/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 3.0 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 Milltown, WI water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Milltown's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A (90.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 915 residents using groundwater (wells).

5
Active Violations
3.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
3 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Milltown

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Milltown's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90.4/100).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4459). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

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 Milltown's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 3.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Milltown's water system has 14 total violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.

MCLMROther
Most recent violations:
Oct 2015 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Feb 2012 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jan 2012 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Nov 2010 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jul 2002 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Polk 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. Local water sources include St. Croix River.

SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4459
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3249
FLOODING, SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES
Flood FEMA DR-1369

Where does Milltown's water come from?

Milltown's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 915 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include St. Croix River (river).

What Milltown residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Milltown'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
3.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 20% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

14
Total violations
5
Health-based
5
Active / unresolved
Oct 2015
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

14 Total
5 Active
5 Health-based
9 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
6
Lead and Copper Rule
3
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
2
Jan 2012 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2002 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2000 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 1993 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Oct 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Oct 2015
Feb 2012 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Feb 2012
Nov 2010 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Nov 2010
Nov 2000 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 2000
Oct 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Oct 1996
Jul 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jul 1996
Jan 1994 Resolved
Atrazine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 1994
Jan 1994 Resolved
Atrazine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 1994
Jul 1993 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

3
Declared disasters
Aug 2019
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Polk 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 2019
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4459
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) 3.0 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 increased by 3.0 ppb from 1993 (0.0 ppb) to 2023 (3.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
915
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Milltown's water comes from

Groundwater

Milltown'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 915 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Milltown

Milltown is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

St. Croix River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Milltown

System Name PWSID Population Source
MILLTOWN WATERWORKS WI6490339 915 GW
Regional Comparison

How Milltown compares

Full Wisconsin rankings →

Milltown's score of 90.4/100 is above the average of 65/100 among major Wisconsin cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Milltown (this city)
90.4
Milwaukee
90.2
Madison
35.4
Racine
69.5
Kenosha
45.8
Wisconsin avg
65
City Profile

About Milltown, WI

Wikipedia →

Milltown is a village in Polk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 948 at the 2020 census. The village is located within the Town of Milltown.

Economic Profile
$41,071
Median Income
$109,456
Median Home Value
$621/mo
Median Rent
3.9%
Unemployment
Community
52.5
Median Age
173
People / sq mi
8.9%
College Educated
64.6%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Milltown, WI tap water safe to drink?

Milltown's water quality earned a grade of A (90.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #76 out of 446 cities tested in Wisconsin.

What contaminants are in Milltown's water?

Lead was measured at 3.0 ppb (90th percentile). 14 violations are on record.

How is Milltown'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 Milltown?

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

Where does Milltown's water come from?

Milltown's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 915 residents.

What health violations has Milltown's water system had?

Milltown has 5 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2015. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.

Is Milltown's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Milltown 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 14 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 Milltown's water compare to other cities?

Milltown ranks #76 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin (better than 83% of state cities) and #2256 out of 15744 cities nationally (86th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Milltown's small water system affect quality?

Milltown's system serves approximately 915 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 14 violations on record.