Grafton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.1 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
689.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.60
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 Grafton, your appliances are currently losing 30% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Grafton | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -74% |
| Washing Machine | 5.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -56% |
| Water Heater | 6.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -56% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Grafton compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Grafton, Wisconsin | 224.5 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Cedarburg, Wisconsin | 115.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Port Washington, Wisconsin | 235 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Mequon, Wisconsin | 238 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Brown Deer, Wisconsin | 218.5 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Grafton compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Grafton | 224.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Grafton's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Grafton, Wisconsin, in Ozaukee County — an Ozaukee County village adjacent to Port Washington and Cedarburg on the Milwaukee River in east-central Wisconsin — receives its water from the Village of Grafton Water Department, drawing from deep Silurian dolomite wells through the east-central Wisconsin distribution.
The very hard 224.5 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 689.1 mg/L reflect the Ozaukee County Lake Michigan basin supply's very hard dolomitic character — the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite and Ordovician Galena Dolomite are among the most calcareous formations in Wisconsin, with deep groundwater wells tapping highly mineralized dolomite zones (compare Port Washington WI: 235/736 in Ozaukee County comparable; Cedarburg WI: 116/279 in Ozaukee County; Grafton consistent very hard from the same Ozaukee County Lake Michigan Silurian dolomitic supply). The Lake Michigan basin — Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Galena Dolomite (dolomitic — secondary contributor), and Quaternary glacial till (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 224.5 mg/L with TDS 689, Grafton's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. The elevated TDS may noticeably affect taste. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review the Village of Grafton's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Grafton in Ozaukee County draws from the Village of Grafton Water on the Lake Michigan aquifer (Ozaukee County, east-central Wisconsin) — the Lake Michigan basin at Ozaukee County is underlain by Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic) and Ordovician Galena Dolomite (dolomitic) — Wisconsin Ozaukee County Lake Michigan Silurian dolomitic supply produces very hard water at 224.5 mg/L with TDS 689.1 mg/L.