Tap Water Results

Is Appleton, WI tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Appleton Waterworks. 1 PFAS were detected below the limits.

3 public water systems serve parts of Appleton. The largest, Appleton Waterworks, serves 74,511 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Appleton Waterworks

74,511 people · Surface water · EPA ID WI4450333

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 1.3 ppb at the 90th percentile (Jun 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Appleton Waterworks results

Across Wisconsin, 18 of 196 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 4 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Wisconsin results.

Appleton homes and lead pipes

65%
of homes built before 1980 (Wisconsin 57%, US 50%)
26%
built before 1950 (Wisconsin 23%)
33%
of households rent (Wisconsin 32%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Appleton city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Appleton

  • Darboy Sanitary District 1
    13,024 people · Groundwater · Wisconsin · lists this city
    No PFAS above limits
  • Maplewood Village Water System
    225 people · Groundwater · Wisconsin · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Neenah 9 mi
Neenah Waterworks
Neenah WaterworksNone above limits10 ppb
De Pere 19 mi
De Pere Waterworks Service Area 1
De Pere Waterworks Service Area 1None above limits0.66 ppb
Oshkosh 20 mi
Oshkosh Waterworks
Oshkosh WaterworksNone above limits6.1 ppb
Green Bay 26 mi
Green Bay Waterworks
Green Bay WaterworksNone above limits2.5 ppb
Fond du Lac 35 mi
Fond du Lac Waterworks
Fond du Lac WaterworksNone above limits6.1 ppb
Manitowoc 37 mi
Manitowoc Waterworks
Manitowoc WaterworksNone above limits7.7 ppb
Appleton ZIP codes (2)
  • 54911
  • 54915

Questions

Is Appleton tap water safe to drink?

Appleton Waterworks has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Appleton, WI?

3 public water systems serve parts of Appleton. The largest is Appleton Waterworks (74,511 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Appleton tap water have PFAS?

Appleton Waterworks had 1 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Appleton homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 65% of Appleton homes as built before 1980 (Wisconsin: 57%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Appleton Waterworks's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.