Problems We Found In Milwaukee's Drinking Water

Kezia Snipe  |  Hydroviv Research Analyst

For Hydroviv’s assessment of Milwaukee's tap and drinking water quality, we aggregated water quality test data from Milwaukee Water Works, the city’s water provider and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as from samples that we collect and analyze. We cross reference these data with toxicity studies in the scientific and medical literature, and look at upcoming regulatory changes. The water filters that we build for our neighbors in Milwaukee (Hydroviv is a DC-based company) are optimized with this research in mind.

Source Of Milwaukee's Drinking Water

Milwaukee draws it's raw and drinking water from Lake Michigan.

High Levels Of Lead In Milwaukee Drinking Water

Lead enters Milwaukee's drinking and tap water through older lead service pipes and lead-containing plumbing. When corrosion control measures put in place by the municipality fail (like what recently happened in Flint, Michigan), lead leaches into the drinking water, and can reach dangerous levels. Currently, 10% of samples analyzed for lead in Milwaukee are over 8.2 parts per billion. Though Milwaukee's drinking water quality is currently in compliance with federal regulations, EPA and CDC both acknowledge that there is no safe level of lead, and federal regulations do not take into account levels measured at an individual tap. Homes built before 1986 are most susceptible to lead contamination. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that any taps used to serve children have lead levels no higher than 1 part per billion.

High Levels Of Chromium 6 In Milwaukee Drinking Water

Chromium 6 is a hazardous metal not fully regulated by the EPA. Milwaukee’s tap and drinking water recently averaged 220 parts per trillion for chromium 6. These levels are nearly 11 times higher than the concentration determined to have a negligible impact on cancer risk.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In Milwaukee Drinking Water

DBPs are a category of emerging contaminants that form when chlorine-based disinfectants react with naturally-occurring organic matter. Although these chemicals are not currently regulated very well, the EPA has admitted that they are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems.

Still Have Questions About Milwaukee Drinking Water?

Hydroviv is a water filtration company that uses water quality data to optimize water filters for each customer's water. The contaminants that we list above are what we consider to be major “points of emphasis” that we use to build water filters that are built specifically for Milwaukee, but all of our our filters provide broad protection against a wide range of contaminants (including lead).

If you’re interested in learning more about water filters that have been optimized for Milwaukee tap water, or just have questions about water quality in general, feel free to visit www.hydroviv.com, reach out by email (hello@hydroviv.com) or through our live chat. We also frequently post water-related news on Twitter or Facebook. We pride ourselves in being a reputable source of information on water quality, and your questions will be answered by scientists, not salespeople (we don't have any salespeople).

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