Madison Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.1 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
443.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.55
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Madison, your appliances are currently losing 28% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Madison | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -67% |
| Washing Machine | 6 yrs | 12 yrs | -50% |
| Water Heater | 7.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -51% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Madison compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Madison, Indiana | 206.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| North Madison, Indiana | 136 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Lyndon, Kentucky | 166 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Shelbyville, Kentucky | 231 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Saint Matthews, Kentucky | 161 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Madison compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Madison | 206.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Madison's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Madison, Indiana, in Jefferson County — a Jefferson County city adjacent to Hanover and Vevay on the Ohio River in southeast Indiana — receives its water from the City of Madison Water Department, drawing from the Ohio River through the southeast Indiana distribution.
The hard 206.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 443.9 mg/L reflect the Jefferson County Ohio River supply's hard calcareous character — the Mississippian Salem Limestone and Ordovician Cincinnatian limestone are both highly calcareous formations that define the geology of the Ohio Valley carbonate belt in southern Indiana (compare Vevay IN: 202/438 in Switzerland County comparable; Rising Sun IN: 208/448 in Ohio County comparable; Madison consistent hard from the same Jefferson County Ohio River Mississippian-Ordovician calcareous supply). The Ohio River at Jefferson County — Mississippian Salem Limestone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Cincinnatian limestone (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Ohio River alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 206.5 mg/L with TDS 444, Madison's water is hard — scale builds notably in water heaters and kettles over months. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Jefferson County southeast Indiana Ohio River industrial legacy contributes to Madison's elevated readings. Review the City of Madison's annual water quality report for the latest data.
Geology & Source: Madison in Jefferson County draws from the City of Madison Water on the Ohio River (Jefferson County, southeast Indiana) — the Ohio River at Jefferson County drains Mississippian Salem Limestone (calcareous) and Ordovician Cincinnatian limestone (calcareous) — Indiana Jefferson County Ohio River Mississippian-Ordovician calcareous supply produces hard water at 206.5 mg/L with TDS 443.9 mg/L.