Record-only indicator: B
Not a safety rating. Missing or old measurements can produce a high score.
Coverage: 1/1 mapped systems have a dated lead result; 0/1 have copper results; 1/1 have UCMR monitoring.
| Contaminant | Reported value or bound | Historical comparison value | Interpretation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead |
0.26 ppbPeriod end: 09/30/2023
|
15 ppb | Largest reported value or bound among mapped systems; not necessarily the largest actual concentration. | At/below comparison value |
Public-record summary
Record-only indicator — incomplete or old records can produce a high score. A score of 100 is not a safety finding. Coverage: 1/1 mapped systems have a dated lead result; 0/1 have copper results; 1/1 have UCMR monitoring. Tap water quality in Merrill, Wisconsin (54452) receives an record-only indicator of B (Moderate-low record-based concern) with a score of 82 out of 100, based on analysis of EPA compliance data, contaminant testing, and violation history. This is 10 points above the Wisconsin state average of 72. The area is served by Merrill Waterworks, a groundwater system providing water to approximately 9,661 people. Over the past 5 years, water systems here have accumulated 2 violations, including 1 health-based violations.
Grade B summarizes the records available to this model, not household safety. Missing, bounded or old measurements can produce a high score, including 100. Review coverage, dates and the current utility report before interpreting this indicator.
Health Information
Lead is a toxic metal that can leach from aging pipes and plumbing fixtures.
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.
Lead enters water primarily through corrosion of lead service lines, lead solder, and brass fixtures — especially in homes built before 1986.
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
The record-only indicator is B (82/100). It cannot determine whether your tap water is safe. Missing, bounded or old measurements can produce a high score. Check the coverage and sampling dates below and your utility's current notices.
ZIP code 54452 is served by 1 water system using groundwater sources, providing water to approximately 9,661 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.
The largest reported lead value or bound is 0.26 ppb, for the sampling period ending 09/30/2023. This is a system-level 90th-percentile record, not a measurement at your tap. Compare the sampling date and original utility report before interpreting it.
No PFAS ("forever chemicals") were detected in water systems serving Merrill, Wisconsin during the most recent EPA monitoring period (UCMR5). However, not all water systems have been tested for all PFAS compounds, and new contamination can occur over time.
Water systems serving Merrill, Wisconsin have received 2 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.
This public-record indicator cannot select household treatment. Confirm your supplier, current utility report and tap-testing results first; match any treatment to a certified contaminant-reduction claim and follow its maintenance instructions.
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