Port Washington Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

736.1 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Port Washington, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Port Washington	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Port Washington compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Port Washington, Wisconsin	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Grafton, Wisconsin	377 mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Cedarburg, Wisconsin	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Mequon, Wisconsin	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Brown Deer, Wisconsin	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Port Washington compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Port Washington	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Port Washington's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 736.1 mg/LpH: 8.5

The Port Washington Waterworks supplies drinking water to nearly 12,000 residents in Port Washington, Wisconsin, located in Ozaukee County. This utility relies on surface water drawn from the Lake Michigan watershed. Water undergoes treatment at facilities employing aeration and conventional filtration, with chlorine serving as the primary disinfectant to ensure safety. Residents can reach the utility 24/7 at 262-284-7670 for emergencies.

This region's water originates from surface runoff and groundwater interacting with the local geology. Beneath Port Washington lie Silurian and Ordovician dolomite and limestone formations, common across the Door Peninsula. These carbonate bedrock layers naturally dissolve minerals like calcium and magnesium, contributing to the moderately hard water typical of eastern Wisconsin's glaciated areas. While specific hardness levels weren't available, this geological makeup points towards a water profile consistent with the region.

Homeowners might notice scale buildup in appliances and pipes due to the water's mineral content. Reduced soap lathering is another common effect. To combat these issues, regular maintenance of fixtures like faucets and showerheads is recommended. For those experiencing significant scale or appliance issues, a water softener could be a worthwhile investment. The Port Washington Waterworks achieved a Quality Score of 90/100, with no reported health violations, and publishes an annual drinking water quality report.

Geology & Source: Silurian and Ordovician dolomite and limestone; carbonate bedrock units contribute dissolved minerals, creating moderately hard water

Other Wisconsin Water Reports

Grafton

377 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Cedarburg

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Mequon

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Brown Deer

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Port Washington's water safe to drink?

Yes. Port Washington's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Port Washington?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Port Washington's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Port Washington compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Port Washington (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Port Washington is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.