Government Sampling Summary for Racine Waterworks
The Racine Waterworks system in Racine, WI, serves over 105,000 people using surface water. According to the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), there are two health-based violations recorded for this system. These records reflect the public water system, not individual household water quality.
Checklist Part 1: Steps to Rule Out Bacteria Causes
Check Your Household Equipment First
Since your current equipment has failed, verify that all treatment components have been properly reset or replaced as needed. Faulty equipment can allow bacteria to pass through untreated.
Inspect Plumbing Conditions
Look for possible sources of contamination such as leaks, backflow, or stagnant water in home plumbing that might promote bacterial presence.
Obtain Laboratory Water Testing
Because government data does not specify household water bacteria content, a certified lab test of your tap water is necessary to determine actual bacteria levels and types.
Checklist Part 2: Additional Questions for Commercial or Industrial Water Users (Not Usually Needed for Households)
Operational Water Quality Monitoring
Commercial users often have to monitor bacteria more frequently due to higher water volumes and usage patterns.
Regulatory Compliance Reporting
Industries must maintain records of water quality exceeding routine household considerations.
Checklist Part 3: What to Document Before Seeking Treatment Advice
Record Your Recent Water Test Results
Include bacteria types, concentrations, and test dates from your certified laboratory.
Note Any Equipment Malfunctions or Repairs
Detail what equipment failed, when, and what maintenance or resets were attempted.
Document Water Characteristics
Record any unusual taste, appearance, or odor that might accompany bacteria presence.
Checklist Part 4: Interpreting the System’s Water Data
Two Health-Based Violations Are on Record
The Racine Waterworks has two health-based violations, indicating some past compliance issues relevant to the public system but not necessarily reflecting your household water at this moment.
Bacteria Detections Are Not Automatically Violations
Detections in public water monitoring indicate presence but do not by themselves indicate unsafe water or a violation of standards.
Lead Measures Do Not Reflect Source Bacteria Levels
The published 90th percentile lead level is a plumbing distribution measure unrelated to bacteria conditions in the source water.
Checklist Part 5: How Treatment Removes or Neutralizes Bacteria
Pentair Bacteria & Coliform (Well) Filter Function
This system uses filtration technology specifically designed to reduce bacteria and coliform counts in household water supplies by removing these microorganisms mechanically and preventing their passage into your water system.
It ships ready to configure for household settings, allowing you to restore effective bacteria control after equipment failure.
Checklist Part 6: Public Water Records vs. Private Well Testing
Public System Records Offer Area-Based Data
Government sampling data represent the public water system’s performance and water quality trends across Racine but do not measure individual household water directly.
Your Household Water Requires Direct Testing
To know the exact bacteria status in your home water, only specific laboratory testing of your household water will provide results particular to your plumbing and treatment condition.
Closing Notes
Do not assume that bacteria presence in the Racine water system’s public records means your household water is currently unsafe or in violation of standards. Your own water quality depends on a combination of municipal supply, plumbing conditions, and treatment equipment function. Testing and appropriate treatment adjustment are the reliable ways to address any bacteria concerns after equipment failure.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2025-06-30. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA SDWIS record for RACINE WATERWORKS (WI2520062), surface water supply, serving 105100 people: 2 health-based violations of 10 total; lead 90th percentile 0.0057 mg/L