Whitewater Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.8 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
232 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.27
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 Whitewater, your appliances are currently losing 13% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Whitewater | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -26% |
| Washing Machine | 9.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -17% |
| Water Heater | 11.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -23% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Whitewater compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Whitewater, Wisconsin | 100 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin | 128.5 mg/L | 3.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Janesville, Wisconsin | 258.5 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Watertown, Wisconsin | 228 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Oconomowoc, Wisconsin | 258.5 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Whitewater compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Whitewater | 100 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Whitewater's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Whitewater, Wisconsin, in Walworth County — a Walworth County city adjacent to Fort Atkinson and Elkhorn in the southeast Wisconsin lake district — receives its municipal water from the Whitewater Water Division, drawing from the Silurian Dolomite Aquifer (Walworth County) through the southeast Wisconsin water treatment system.
The moderately hard 100 mg/L hardness and TDS of 232 mg/L reflect the southeast Wisconsin Silurian Dolomite Aquifer's moderate character — slightly softer than the central Wisconsin cities drawing from deeper Wisconsin limestone (Waukesha: ~280 mg/L) but harder than the Lake Michigan surface water supply (Milwaukee: ~115 mg/L). The Silurian Dolomite Aquifer at Walworth County is developed in Silurian Niagara Dolomite (dolomite, calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Silurian Racine Formation (dolomite), and Silurian Waukesha Dolomite (calcareous-dolomitic). The Silurian dolomite dissolution produces the moderately hard southeast Wisconsin supply.
At 100 mg/L, Whitewater'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 3.1 ppt is low — the Walworth County southeast Wisconsin rural corridor has minimal major adjacent AFFF military PFAS sources, and the modest reading reflects background industrial PFAS.
Geology & Source: Whitewater in Walworth County draws from the Whitewater Water Division on the Silurian Dolomite Aquifer (Walworth County, southeast Wisconsin) — the Silurian aquifer at Walworth County is developed in Silurian Niagara Dolomite (dolomite, calcareous) — Wisconsin Walworth County Silurian Niagara Dolomite aquifer produces moderately hard water at 100 mg/L with TDS 232 mg/L.