WaterVerge

Is Norwalk, WI Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

653 residents served 1 water system PWSID: WI6420296
Overall Score
94.3 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#10 of 446 in Wisconsin Top 4% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
94.3/100
waterverge.com
A 94.3/100

Norwalk, WI — Water Quality Report

Norwalk's drinking water received a grade of A (94.3 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 653 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 8 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.

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

What to know about Norwalk's water

Norwalk ranks #10 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
94.3 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.3/45
A
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
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Norwalk, WI water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Norwalk's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (94.3/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 653 residents using groundwater (wells).

1
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
5 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Norwalk

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Norwalk's water quality assessment. Grade: A (94.3/100).

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

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

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

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4402). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

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

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Norwalk's water system has 8 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remain unresolved.

MRMCL
Most recent violations:
Mar 2010 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jan 2010 Chlorine Resolved
May 2008 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Apr 2008 Chlorine Resolved
Oct 1995 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Monroe County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1990. 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 Silver Creek, Kickapoo R @ St Hwy 131.

SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4459
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-4402
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-4288

Where does Norwalk's water come from?

Norwalk's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 653 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Silver Creek (river), Kickapoo R @ St Hwy 131 (river).

What Norwalk residents can do

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

Norwalk'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

8
Total violations
1
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Mar 2010
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

8 Total
1 Active
1 Health-based
7 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
5
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Mar 2010 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2010
Jan 2010 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2010
May 2008 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2008
Apr 2008 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2008
Oct 1995 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1995
Aug 1995 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Aug 1995
Apr 1995 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Apr 1995
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

5
Declared disasters
Aug 2019
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Monroe County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1990. 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
Oct 2018
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #4402
Oct 2016
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #4288
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3249
Aug 1990
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #877

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 2.6 ppb from 1993 (2.6 ppb) to 2023 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
653
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Norwalk's water comes from

Groundwater

Norwalk'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 653 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Norwalk

Norwalk is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Silver Creek
river
Kickapoo R @ St Hwy 131
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Norwalk

System Name PWSID Population Source
NORWALK WATERWORKS WI6420296 653 GW
Regional Comparison

How Norwalk compares

Full Wisconsin rankings →

Norwalk's score of 94.3/100 is above the average of 65/100 among major Wisconsin cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Norwalk (this city)
94.3
Milwaukee
90.2
Madison
35.4
Racine
69.5
Kenosha
45.8
Wisconsin avg
65
City Profile

About Norwalk, WI

Wikipedia →

Norwalk is a village in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 611 at the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$51,250
Median Income
$90,956
Median Home Value
$715/mo
Median Rent
2.8%
Unemployment
Community
29.8
Median Age
247
People / sq mi
8%
College Educated
70.6%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Norwalk, WI tap water safe to drink?

Norwalk's water quality earned a grade of A (94.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #10 out of 446 cities tested in Wisconsin.

What contaminants are in Norwalk's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 8 violations are on record.

How is Norwalk'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 Norwalk?

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

Where does Norwalk's water come from?

Norwalk's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 653 residents.

What health violations has Norwalk's water system had?

Norwalk has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in March 2010. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.

Is Norwalk's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Norwalk 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 8 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 Norwalk's water compare to other cities?

Norwalk ranks #10 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin (better than 98% of state cities) and #555 out of 15744 cities nationally (97th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Norwalk's small water system affect quality?

Norwalk's system serves approximately 653 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 8 violations on record.