Is Wisconsin Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Water quality data for 17 cities across Wisconsin. Find your city below.

Water quality in Wisconsin varies significantly from city to city. Across 17 cities we track, hardness ranges from 139 PPM in Racine to 312 PPM in Madison, with a statewide average of 210 PPM. 17 of 17 cities have hard water above 120 PPM where a water softener provides measurable benefits.

1 Wisconsin cities have forever chemicals (PFAS) above the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 parts per trillion: La Crosse (40.83 ppt). A reverse osmosis system or NSF P473-certified filter can reduce PFAS to safe levels.

17
Cities
210
Avg Hardness (PPM)
312
Hardest City (PPM)

Complete Wisconsin Guide

Statewide water quality overview, costs, and treatment recommendations.

Well Water in Wisconsin

Testing, treatment, and common issues for private wells.

Hardest Water Rankings

Wisconsin cities ranked by water hardness level.

City Treatment Guides

Sized recommendations based on each city's specific water data.

Madison

312 PPM 🧂 Best Softener

Milwaukee

140 PPM 🧂 Best Softener 🔬 Best Filter

City Comparisons

Madison vs Racine

Side-by-side water quality comparison.

Madison vs Appleton

Side-by-side water quality comparison.

Appleton vs Fond Du Lac

Side-by-side water quality comparison.

More for Wisconsin

Softener Cost in Milwaukee

Wisconsin Cities by Water Hardness

CityHardness (PPM)LevelPFAS (ppt)Source
Madison 312 Extremely Hard 52.08 Deep groundwater wells
Appleton 304 Extremely Hard 5.9 Lake Winnebago
Fond du Lac 290 Extremely Hard 0 Lake Winnebago & wells
Janesville 280 Extremely Hard 0 Rock River & wells
Eau Claire 265 Extremely Hard 13.05 Eau Claire River wells
Oshkosh 256 Extremely Hard 0 Lake Winnebago
La Crosse 235 Very Hard 40.83 Deep sandstone wells
Waukesha 196 Very Hard 0 Lake Michigan (new pipeline)
Brookfield 190 Very Hard 14.13 Lake Michigan via Milwaukee
Stevens Point 175 Hard 0 Local wells
Sheboygan 170 Hard 0 Lake Michigan
Green Bay 166 Hard 0 Lake Michigan, Fox River
Manitowoc 165 Hard 0 Lake Michigan
Kenosha 143 Hard 0 Lake Michigan
Milwaukee 140 Hard 0 Lake Michigan
Wauwatosa 140 Hard 0 Lake Michigan via Milwaukee
Racine 139 Hard 0 Lake Michigan

Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin Water

Is Wisconsin tap water safe to drink?
Wisconsin tap water meets EPA legal standards in most cities. 1 cities have PFAS levels above the EPA health advisory of 4 ppt. The statewide average hardness of 210 PPM means most homes deal with hard water effects like scale buildup, though hardness is not a health concern. Check your specific city above for detailed data.
Do I need a water softener in Wisconsin?
Most Wisconsin cities would benefit from a water softener. The state average is 210 PPM, and 100% of cities exceed 120 PPM where softener benefits become measurable. A salt-based softener reduces scale damage, energy waste, and product use.
Which Wisconsin city has the hardest water?
Madison has the hardest water in Wisconsin at 312 PPM (18.2 GPG). Appleton is second at 304 PPM. See the full ranking.
What contaminants are in Wisconsin water?
The most common concerns across Wisconsin are hard water minerals (calcium and magnesium), and PFAS (forever chemicals) detected in 1 cities. Each city has different levels - check your city above for specific contaminant data.
How much does a water softener cost in Wisconsin?
A whole-house water softener for a typical Wisconsin home costs $800-$2,500 installed, depending on capacity and brand. At 210 PPM average hardness, most homes need a 32,000-48,000 grain system. Full cost breakdown.

Check Your Water

Find exact data for your city.

Search all cities

Guides

Softener vs. Filter Water Testing Guide Sizing Calculator Compare Systems

Common Issues

Hard Water PFAS Lead Chlorine