Hartford Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.5 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
213.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.25
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 Hartford, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Hartford | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -24% |
| Washing Machine | 10.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -16% |
| Water Heater | 11.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -21% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Hartford compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hartford, Wisconsin | 93.5 mg/L | 3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| West Bend, Wisconsin | 260.5 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Oconomowoc, Wisconsin | 258.5 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Germantown, Wisconsin | 184.5 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin | 236.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Hartford compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hartford | 93.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Hartford's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Hartford, Wisconsin, in Washington County — a Washington County city adjacent to Slinger and West Bend in southeast Wisconsin — receives its water from the Hartford Water Utility, drawing from the Cedar Creek aquifer and local Washington County groundwater (Washington County) through the southeast Wisconsin water treatment system.
The moderately hard 93.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 213.4 mg/L are softer than the Milwaukee metro Lake Michigan communities (Greendale: 249.5 mg/L), reflecting the Hartford groundwater source's more diluted Silurian-Ordovician dolomitic character with greater dilution at the shallow aquifer position. The Washington County groundwater at Hartford is developed in Silurian Niagara Dolomite (dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Galena Dolomite (dolomitic — secondary contributor), Ordovician Maquoketa Shale (slightly calcareous), and Quaternary calcareous glacial drift (calcareous — minor contributor).
At 93.5 mg/L, Hartford's water is moderately hard — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 3.0 ppt is very low — the Washington County southeast Wisconsin rural corridor has minimal adjacent AFFF military PFAS sources.
Geology & Source: Hartford in Washington County draws from the Hartford Water Utility on the Cedar Creek Aquifer and local Washington County groundwater (Washington County, southeast Wisconsin) — the aquifer is developed in Silurian Niagara Dolomite (dolomitic) and Ordovician Galena Dolomite (dolomitic) — Wisconsin Washington County Cedar Creek groundwater Silurian-Ordovician dolomitic produces moderately hard water at 93.5 mg/L with TDS 213.4 mg/L.