Portage Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.8 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
740.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.63
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 Portage, your appliances are currently losing 31% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Portage | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -79% |
| Washing Machine | 4.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -59% |
| Water Heater | 6.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -59% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Portage compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Portage, Wisconsin | 236 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Baraboo, Wisconsin | 241.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Waunakee, Wisconsin | 233.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Sun Prairie, Wisconsin | 196.5 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Middleton, Wisconsin | 252.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Portage compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Portage | 236 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Portage's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Portage, Wisconsin, in Columbia County — the Columbia County seat adjacent to Baraboo and Poynette on the Wisconsin River at the Fox River portage route in south-central Wisconsin — receives its water from the City of Portage Water Department, drawing from the Wisconsin River and local groundwater wells through the south-central Wisconsin distribution.
The very hard 236 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 740.2 mg/L reflect the Columbia County supply's very hard dolomitic character — the Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite and Cambrian Jordan Sandstone are highly dolomitic-slightly calcareous formations in the Wisconsin Dolomite Plateau; Portage's groundwater wells draw from deep Silurian-Ordovician dolomite aquifers that accumulate very high dissolved mineral content (compare Baraboo WI: 232/730 in Sauk County comparable; Poynette WI: 239/750 in Columbia County comparable; Portage consistent very hard from the same Columbia County Wisconsin River Ordovician dolomitic supply). The Wisconsin River at Columbia County — Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite (highly dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Cambrian Jordan Sandstone (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Wisconsin River outwash (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 236 mg/L with TDS 740, Portage's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. The PFAS level of 6.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review the City of Portage's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Portage in Columbia County draws from the Portage Water on the Wisconsin River and local wells (Columbia County, south-central Wisconsin) — the Wisconsin Dells-Portage corridor at Columbia County draws from Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite (highly dolomitic) and Cambrian Jordan Sandstone (slightly calcareous) — Wisconsin Columbia County Wisconsin River Ordovician dolomitic supply produces very hard water at 236 mg/L with TDS 740.2 mg/L.