Strontium Contamination

Strontium in Wisconsin Drinking Water

Ranked by max strontium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Over HRL

19%

% Over HRL

3399.5 µg/L

State Avg

▲ 13% vs national

vs National

388

Health Violations

Analysis

Strontium in Wisconsin: what the data shows

Wisconsin has 85 cities with strontium data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Strontium was detected above the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level in 16 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 3399.5 µg/L. Strontium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in areas with limestone and dolomite geology. It can also enter water from industrial waste and mining operations. There is no federal MCL for strontium, but the EPA established a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L. Long-term exposure to strontium above the HRL may affect bone health, particularly in children, by substituting for calcium in developing bones. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1,500 µg/L EPA HRL (no MCL)

Wisconsin

19%

16 of 85 cities

→ ▲ 13% above national rate (worse)

National avg

250 of 4371 cities

City Map

Strontium data across Wisconsin

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 strontium testing data. Cities where strontium exceeds the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by strontium level in Wisconsin

Highest Strontium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Wisconsin cities ranked by strontium level

#	City	Level	Over HRL?	Violations	Grade
1	Germantown	52614.2 µg/L	Over HRL	8	B-
2	Brookfield	40501.0 µg/L	Over HRL	32	C-
3	Waukesha	38976.5 µg/L	Over HRL	320	D
4	Little Chute	27000.0 µg/L	Over HRL	1	B+
5	Kaukauna	26872.8 µg/L	Over HRL	9	B+
6	Menomonee Falls	22000.0 µg/L	Over HRL	6	B+
7	Wrightstown	21029.8 µg/L	Over HRL	4	B
8	Fond Du Lac	11671.6 µg/L	Over HRL	51	F
9	Appleton	10950.3 µg/L	Over HRL	4	B+
10	Green Bay	9825.1 µg/L	Over HRL	74	D+
11	Grafton	4009.3 µg/L	Over HRL	12	C+
12	De Pere	3847.4 µg/L	Over HRL	38	B
13	Kiel	2500.0 µg/L	Over HRL	3	A-
14	Cedarburg	2360.2 µg/L	Over HRL	1	B+
15	West Bend	2307.7 µg/L	Over HRL	11	F
16	Omro	1690.0 µg/L	Over HRL	1	A-
17	Watertown	772.2 µg/L	No	10	D
18	Beaver Dam	730.0 µg/L	No	11	A-
19	Oconomowoc	696.4 µg/L	No	13	B
20	Manitowoc	580.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
21	Algoma	393.6 µg/L	No	2	A-
22	Whitewater	334.5 µg/L	No	22	C+
23	Hudson	322.1 µg/L	No	4	B
24	Manawa	320.7 µg/L	No	2	B
25	Weston	259.8 µg/L	No	0	B+
26	Fort Atkinson	223.7 µg/L	No	14	A-
27	Portage	181.9 µg/L	No	9	B
28	Hartford	181.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
29	La Crosse	170.0 µg/L	No	34	F
30	Rhinelander	160.0 µg/L	No	5	B
31	Racine	153.8 µg/L	No	4	C+
32	Caledonia	149.3 µg/L	No	1	B
33	Oak Creek	149.0 µg/L	No	5	B
34	Franklin	145.7 µg/L	No	10	B
35	Marshfield	143.6 µg/L	No	9	C-
36	Cudahy	142.6 µg/L	No	0	B+
37	South Milwaukee	139.2 µg/L	No	0	A-
38	Kenosha	136.8 µg/L	No	11	D
39	Two Rivers	136.2 µg/L	No	5	C-
40	Milwaukee	130.0 µg/L	No	2	A
41	Sheboygan	130.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
42	Port Washington	130.0 µg/L	No	6	B+
43	Whitefish Bay	128.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
44	Hartland	127.2 µg/L	No	8	B
45	Glendale	127.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
46	West Allis	125.8 µg/L	No	0	A-
47	Sheboygan Falls	124.0 µg/L	No	5	B-
48	New Berlin	123.6 µg/L	No	14	B
49	Janesville	123.6 µg/L	No	12	B
50	Marinette	123.4 µg/L	No	0	A-
51	Brown Deer	123.3 µg/L	No	5	A
52	Beloit	123.1 µg/L	No	2	B+
53	Greendale	120.9 µg/L	No	1	A-
54	Shorewood	120.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
55	Onalaska	117.5 µg/L	No	2	A-
56	Wauwatosa	115.9 µg/L	No	1	B+
57	Rice Lake	111.2 µg/L	No	17	F
58	Arlington	100.9 µg/L	No	7	B
59	Madison	100.0 µg/L	No	14	F
60	Lac Du Flambeau	100.0 µg/L	No	1	A
61	Stoughton	88.8 µg/L	No	4	B+
62	Sun Prairie	87.2 µg/L	No	4	A
63	Oshkosh	85.0 µg/L	No	0	A
64	Menasha	84.5 µg/L	No	1	B+
65	Chippewa Falls	84.4 µg/L	No	12	D+
66	Fitchburg	82.8 µg/L	No	0	A
67	Monroe	79.3 µg/L	No	9	A-
68	Middleton	79.3 µg/L	No	3	C+
69	Wausau	79.3 µg/L	No	24	C
70	Stevens Point	77.8 µg/L	No	14	C+
71	Waunakee	74.7 µg/L	No	11	B-
72	Baraboo	70.6 µg/L	No	0	B
73	Menomonie	70.6 µg/L	No	30	F
74	Edgar	70.2 µg/L	No	1	B+
75	Grand Chute	67.9 µg/L	No	2	A
76	Wisconsin Rapids	66.6 µg/L	No	6	B-
77	Shawano	63.4 µg/L	No	11	A
78	Neenah	54.1 µg/L	No	6	C+
79	Plover	53.0 µg/L	No	9	B+
80	Eau Claire	51.8 µg/L	No	18	D+
81	Hayward	51.0 µg/L	No	19	F
82	River Falls	41.2 µg/L	No	14	C+
83	Bowler	36.5 µg/L	No	8	A-
84	Superior	30.3 µg/L	No	17	F
85	Fort Mccoy	20.4 µg/L	No	4	B+

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about strontium in Wisconsin

Is strontium in Wisconsin tap water harmful?

Strontium at low levels is not considered harmful, but the EPA set a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L based on potential bone effects. 16 cities in Wisconsin exceed this HRL. There is currently no federal MCL for strontium. Children may be more susceptible because strontium can substitute for calcium in developing bones.

How can I remove strontium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis and ion exchange (water softener) systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water. Standard carbon filters are NOT effective. If your water comes from a well in an area with limestone or dolomite geology, consider testing for strontium.

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