Fort Atkinson Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.5 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
320.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.34
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 Fort Atkinson, your appliances are currently losing 17% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Fort Atkinson | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -36% |
| Washing Machine | 8.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -27% |
| Water Heater | 10.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -30% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Fort Atkinson compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin | 128.5 mg/L | 3.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Whitewater, Wisconsin | 100 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Watertown, Wisconsin | 228 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Janesville, Wisconsin | 258.5 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Stoughton, Wisconsin | 178.5 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Fort Atkinson compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fort Atkinson | 128.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Fort Atkinson home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Fort Atkinson's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, in Jefferson County — a Jefferson County city adjacent to Whitewater and Jefferson on the Rock River in south-central Wisconsin — receives its water from the City of Fort Atkinson Water, drawing from the Rock River aquifer (Jefferson County) through the south-central Wisconsin distribution.
The moderately hard 128.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 320.3 mg/L reflect the south-central Wisconsin Jefferson County Rock River supply's moderate dolomitic character — softer than the deeper Dane County and Grant County Wisconsin dolomite aquifer communities (Verona WI: 161/433; Platteville WI: 201/588) because Fort Atkinson's Rock River surface water dilutes the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite groundwater draw. The Rock River at Jefferson County — Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Galena Formation (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Rock River alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 128.5 mg/L with TDS 320, Fort Atkinson's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 3.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Jefferson County south-central Wisconsin dairy and industrial corridor contribute to Fort Atkinson's readings.
Geology & Source: Fort Atkinson in Jefferson County draws from the City of Fort Atkinson Water on the Rock River aquifer (Jefferson County, south-central Wisconsin) — the Rock River at Jefferson County is developed in Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (dolomitic) and Ordovician Galena Formation (calcareous) — Wisconsin Jefferson County Rock River Silurian-Ordovician dolomitic supply produces moderately hard water at 128.5 mg/L with TDS 320.3 mg/L.