Is New Lisbon, WI Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+ — but Manganese was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
84.3/100
waterverge.com New Lisbon, WI — Water Quality Report
New Lisbon's drinking water received a grade of B+ (84.3 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,526 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.4 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 39 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved.
What to know about New Lisbon's water
New Lisbon ranks #182 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
New Lisbon 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, New Lisbon may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is New Lisbon, WI water safe to drink?
New Lisbon's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (84.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,526 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for New Lisbon
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into New Lisbon's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (84.3/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS, Public Notice.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4402). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4288). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR), Chlorine.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for New Lisbon's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
New Lisbon's water system has 39 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Juneau County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1992. 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 Yellow River, Lemonweir River.
Where does New Lisbon's water come from?
New Lisbon's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,526 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Yellow River (river), Lemonweir River (river).
What New Lisbon residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in New Lisbon'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.
New Lisbon'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
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of New Lisbon
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near New Lisbon, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
MASTERMOLD LLC MAUSTON, WI53948 | — | — | 5.8 mi |
LEER INC MERCHANDISER DIV NEW LISBON, WI53950 | — | — | 1.1 mi |
WABASH (WALKER STAINLESS EQUIPMENT CO) NEW LISBON, WI53950 | — | — | 0.8 mi |
US DOD, USAF, VOLK FIELD CRTC CAMP DOUGLAS, WI54618 | — | — | 6.1 mi |
UNITED ENERGY NECEDAH LLC NECEDAH, WI54646 | — | — | 9.2 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Juneau County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1992. 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. | 1.4 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how New Lisbon compares by contaminant
Explore where New Lisbon ranks among all Wisconsin cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where New Lisbon's water comes from
New Lisbon'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 2,526 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near New Lisbon
New Lisbon is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving New Lisbon
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEW LISBON WATERWORKS | WI7290132 | 2,526 | GW |
How New Lisbon compares
Full Wisconsin rankings →New Lisbon's score of 84.3/100 is above the average of 65/100 among major Wisconsin cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Wisconsin rankings →About New Lisbon, WI
Wikipedia →New Lisbon is a city in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,748 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to New Lisbon's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Juneau
Frequently asked questions
Is New Lisbon, WI tap water safe to drink?
New Lisbon's water quality earned a grade of B+ (84.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #182 out of 446 cities tested in Wisconsin.
What contaminants are in New Lisbon's water?
Lead was measured at 1.4 ppb (90th percentile). 39 violations are on record.
How is New Lisbon'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 New Lisbon?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does New Lisbon's water come from?
New Lisbon's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,526 residents.
What health violations has New Lisbon's water system had?
New Lisbon has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 12 violations remain unresolved.
Is New Lisbon's groundwater at risk of contamination?
New Lisbon 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 39 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 New Lisbon's water compare to other cities?
New Lisbon ranks #182 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin (better than 59% of state cities) and #5978 out of 15744 cities nationally (62th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does New Lisbon's small water system affect quality?
New Lisbon's system serves approximately 2,526 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 39 violations on record.