B
81

Good Water Quality

Hudson, WI 54016

Saint Croix County · Population served: 17,635 · Data updated March 2026

Water Systems Serving This Area

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HUDSON WATERWORKS
Groundwater · Pop. 17,635
PWSID: WI6560087

Contaminants Detected

ContaminantDetected LevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
Lead
6.1
15 ppb 1 ppb Warning

PFAS / Forever Chemicals

1 detected All below limits
CompoundLevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
PFBA32.0 pptNo standard500 pptUnregulated

Violation History (Last 5 Years)

4Total (5yr)
1Health-Based
0Major

Water Quality Summary

Understanding Your Water in Hudson

Tap water quality in Hudson, Wisconsin (54016) receives an overall grade of B (Good) with a score of 81 out of 100, based on analysis of EPA compliance data, contaminant testing, and violation history. This is roughly in line with the Wisconsin state average of 78. The area is served by Hudson Waterworks, a groundwater system providing water to approximately 17,635 people. Testing has found elevated levels of Lead that warrant attention. PFAS testing detected 1 compound, all currently below EPA limits. Over the past 5 years, water systems here have accumulated 4 violations, including 1 health-based violations.

Your Score 81/100 B
vs State 3 pts above Wisconsin avg (78)
vs National 6 pts above national avg (75)

What a Grade B Means

A score of 81/100 means the water in Hudson, WI is generally good and meets EPA standards, with only minor areas of concern. There may be low levels of detectable contaminants or a small number of non-critical violations. Most residents can feel comfortable with their tap water quality, though basic filtration can provide an extra layer of protection.

Groundwater: drawn from underground aquifers via wells

Health Information

What These Contaminants Mean for You

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Lead in Your Water

Lead is a toxic metal that can leach from aging pipes and plumbing fixtures.

Health Effects

Even low levels of lead exposure can cause developmental delays in children, kidney damage, and cardiovascular effects in adults. The EPA action level is 15 ppb, but health experts recommend no safe level of lead in drinking water.

Common Sources

Lead enters water primarily through corrosion of lead service lines, lead solder, and brass fixtures — especially in homes built before 1986.

What You Can Do

If lead is detected above 1 ppb, consider using a certified lead-removal filter (NSF/ANSI 53) for drinking and cooking water. Run cold water for 30 seconds before use if water has been sitting in pipes.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on EPA data, tap water in Hudson, Wisconsin receives a grade of B (Good) with a score of 81/100. This indicates the water meets federal standards and has relatively few concerns. However, individual homes may still have localized issues such as lead from old plumbing.

ZIP code 54016 is served by 1 water system using groundwater sources, providing water to approximately 17,635 people. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, often requiring less treatment. However, it can be vulnerable to contamination from underground sources like naturally occurring arsenic, nitrates from agriculture, or PFAS from industrial sites.

Lead was detected at 6.1 ppb in Hudson, Wisconsin. While this is below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, it exceeds the health guideline of 1 ppb recommended by health organizations. Consider a certified lead filter, especially if you have young children.

1 PFAS compound were detected in water serving Hudson, Wisconsin, but all are currently below EPA limits. While levels are within regulatory standards, some health organizations recommend minimizing any PFAS exposure. Activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters can reduce PFAS levels.

Water systems serving Hudson, Wisconsin have received 4 violations in the last 5 years, including 1 health-based violation. Violations can range from paperwork issues (monitoring & reporting) to serious health-based violations where contaminant levels exceeded safe limits. Review the violation details above for specifics.

Based on detected contaminants (lead, PFAS), residents in Hudson, Wisconsin should consider: Reverse osmosis (RO) system — most effective for PFAS, lead, and other contaminants. Always look for filters with NSF/ANSI certification for the specific contaminants you want to remove.

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