WaterVerge

Is Minong, WI Tap Water Safe to Drink?

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

561 residents served 1 water system PWSID: WI8660303
Overall Score
91.2 / 100
Violations
8 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#59 of 446 in Wisconsin Top 12% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
91.2/100
waterverge.com
A 91.2/100

Minong, WI — Water Quality Report

Minong's drinking water received a grade of A (91.2 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 561 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 61 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 Minong's water

Minong ranks #59 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
91.2 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
41.2/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.0 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 Minong, WI water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Minong's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A (91.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 561 residents using groundwater (wells).

8
Active Violations
1.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
2 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Minong

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Minong's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91.2/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

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

Disaster
FLOODING, SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES

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 Minong's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Minong's water system has 61 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved.

OtherMR
Most recent violations:
Jul 2016 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2014 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jul 2013 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 2012 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Nov 2010 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Washburn County has experienced 2 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.

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

Where does Minong's water come from?

Minong's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 561 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Minong residents can do

Install a water filter

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

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
1.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 6% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

61
Total violations
0
Health-based
8
Active / unresolved
Jul 2016
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

61 Total
8 Active
0 Health-based
53 Resolved
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
42
Total Coliform Rule
5
Consumer Confidence Rule
4
Lead and Copper Rule
2
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Jul 2016 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2014 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2013 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2012 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2010 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Apr 2003 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jan 1995 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Nov 2010 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 2010
Oct 2010 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jun 2010 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2010
Apr 2010 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2010
Mar 2003 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2003
Apr 2002 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Apr 2002
Jan 2002 Resolved
Diquat
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2002
Jan 2002 Resolved
Endothall
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2002
Jun 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1996
Jan 1995 Resolved
Vinyl chloride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1995 Resolved
1,2-Dichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1995 Resolved
1,2-Dichloropropane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Showing 20 of 61 violations
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

2
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Washburn County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 2001. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

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) 1.0 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 2.1 ppb from 1993 (3.1 ppb) to 2023 (1.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
561
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Minong's water comes from

Groundwater

Minong'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 561 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Minong

System Name PWSID Population Source
MINONG WATERWORKS WI8660303 561 GW
Regional Comparison

How Minong compares

Full Wisconsin rankings →

Minong's score of 91.2/100 is above the average of 65/100 among major Wisconsin cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Minong (this city)
91.2
Milwaukee
90.2
Madison
35.4
Racine
69.5
Kenosha
45.8
Wisconsin avg
65
City Profile

About Minong, WI

Economic Profile
$29,545
Median Income
$788/mo
Median Rent
3%
Unemployment
Community
47.5
Median Age
155
People / sq mi
13.4%
College Educated
53.9%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Minong, WI tap water safe to drink?

Minong's water quality earned a grade of A (91.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #59 out of 446 cities tested in Wisconsin.

What contaminants are in Minong's water?

Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 61 violations are on record.

How is Minong'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 Minong?

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

Where does Minong's water come from?

Minong's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 561 residents.

Is Minong's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Minong 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 61 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 Minong's water compare to other cities?

Minong ranks #59 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin (better than 87% of state cities) and #1846 out of 15744 cities nationally (88th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Minong's small water system affect quality?

Minong's system serves approximately 561 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 61 violations on record.