WaterVerge

Is St Croix Falls, WI Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: WI6490343
Overall Score
83.2 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#198 of 446 in Wisconsin Top 42% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
83.2/100
waterverge.com
B+ 83.2/100

St Croix Falls, WI — Water Quality Report

St Croix Falls's drinking water received a grade of B+ (83.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,079 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 4.7 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 3 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 2 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about St Croix Falls's water

St Croix Falls ranks #198 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
83.2 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
43.2/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
18/20
A
Lead at 4.7 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 St Croix Falls, WI water safe to drink?

Use Caution

St Croix Falls's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of B+ (83.2/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,079 residents using groundwater (wells).

2
Active Violations
4.7 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
3 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for St Croix Falls

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into St Croix Falls's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (83.2/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

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

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4459). 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.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

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

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for St Croix Falls's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 4.7 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

St Croix Falls's water system has 3 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 2 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

MRMCL
Most recent violations:
Jan 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Feb 1991 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

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 St Croix Falls's water come from?

St Croix Falls's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,079 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 St Croix Falls 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.

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

Monitor alerts during storms

St Croix Falls'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
4.7 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 31% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

3
Total violations
1
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
Jan 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

3 Total
2 Active
1 Health-based
1 Resolved
Violations by category
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Total Coliform Rule
1
Jan 2024 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Feb 1991 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 1991
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) 4.7 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 4.7 ppb from 1993 (0.0 ppb) to 2023 (4.7 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how St Croix Falls compares by contaminant

Explore where St Croix Falls ranks among all Wisconsin cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
2,079
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where St Croix Falls's water comes from

Groundwater

St Croix Falls'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 2,079 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near St Croix Falls

St Croix Falls 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 St Croix Falls

System Name PWSID Population Source
ST CROIX FALLS WATERWORKS WI6490343 2,079 GW
Regional Comparison

How St Croix Falls compares

Full Wisconsin rankings →

St Croix Falls's score of 83.2/100 is above the average of 65/100 among major Wisconsin cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

St Croix Falls (this city)
83.2
Milwaukee
90.2
Madison
35.4
Racine
69.5
Kenosha
45.8
Wisconsin avg
65
City Profile

About St Croix Falls, WI

Economic Profile
$61,840
Median Income
$202,060
Median Home Value
$927/mo
Median Rent
4.1%
Unemployment
Community
41.7
Median Age
176
People / sq mi
29.5%
College Educated
56.5%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is St Croix Falls, WI tap water safe to drink?

St Croix Falls's water quality earned a grade of B+ (83.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #198 out of 446 cities tested in Wisconsin.

What contaminants are in St Croix Falls's water?

Lead was measured at 4.7 ppb (90th percentile). 3 violations are on record.

How is St Croix Falls'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 St Croix Falls?

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

Where does St Croix Falls's water come from?

St Croix Falls's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,079 residents.

What health violations has St Croix Falls's water system had?

St Croix Falls has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.

Is St Croix Falls's groundwater at risk of contamination?

St Croix Falls 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 3 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 St Croix Falls's water compare to other cities?

St Croix Falls ranks #198 out of 446 cities in Wisconsin (better than 56% of state cities) and #6552 out of 15744 cities nationally (58th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does St Croix Falls's small water system affect quality?

St Croix Falls's system serves approximately 2,079 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 3 violations on record.