Outagamie County, Wisconsin: drinking water report. Outagamie County in the Fox Valley of northeast Wisconsin has a population of about 190,000, centered
Outagamie County in the Fox Valley of northeast Wisconsin has a population of about 190,000, centered on Appleton. The county draws water from deep wells and from Lake Winnebago via the Heart of the Valley Metropolitan Sewerage District region. The Fox River Valley has a long industrial history – paper mills operated along the Fox River for over a century, and their legacy of contamination persists in river sediment and downstream water quality.
The lower Fox River is one of the most heavily contaminated rivers in the Great Lakes basin. PCB contamination from paper mill operations drove a massive EPA-led dredging project that removed millions of cubic yards of contaminated sediment between 2009 and 2020. According to the Wisconsin DNR's 2024 status report, while dredging has reduced PCB concentrations in the river, fish consumption advisories remain in effect and residual contamination persists.
The EPA's UCMR5 data shows PFAS detections in Outagamie County water systems. Appleton's water utility detected PFAS at levels near 8 ppt in treated water. The Appleton International Airport has used AFFF firefighting foam, and Wisconsin's groundwater enforcement standard of 20 ppt for combined PFOS and PFOA means the county's detections are approaching regulatory concern.
The Fox River's industrial legacy affects the broader environmental picture, even if your tap water meets standards. Municipal wells in the Fox Valley draw from deep aquifers that are generally separated from river contamination, but shallow wells may not have that protection.
Check your water for current data on your system. For PFAS and industrial-area contaminants, reverse osmosis is the strongest household option. Our water filter guide details the systems that perform best in industrially impacted areas. Pull your detailed report for trends, and visit our Wisconsin page for statewide context.