Water hardness in Madison
19.9 gpg very hard
Tap water in Madison is very hard: 19.9 gpg (340 mg/L · 19 °dH · 34 °fH).
Source: Wisconsin DNR Drinking Water System portal (Madison Water Utility) (2026) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 52–530 mg/L.
Madison pumps groundwater from municipal wells, drawing mainly on the deep Mount Simon sandstone aquifer. Groundwater in Wisconsin's sandstone and dolomite aquifers is typically hard, and wells differ widely: 52–530 mg/L, with a city median of 340 mg/L CaCO₃. Hardness at your tap depends on which well serves your side of town.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 19.9 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | Madison Water Utility |
How Madison compares
- Tap water in Madison is 119 % harder than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 149 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 89 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Wisconsin it is number 85 of 448 cities; the regional median is 14.3 gpg.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Waunakee, 11 km away (15.2 gpg).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Monona, 9 km away (26.9 gpg).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Severe scale: heater elements and washing-machine heaters fail early.
- Detergent use is very high; taps and screens coat within days.
- Dishwasher at maximum salt setting.
- An ion-exchange softener is practically essential; RO for drinking water.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Yes. At this hardness a softener pays for itself through appliance life and detergent.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 1 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Madison
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H05 |
| Miele | 19 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| LG | H3 |
From each brand's manual for the model family named in the source; your model may differ, so check its manual. All brands and how to change the setting →
FAQ
Is Madison water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 340 mg/L as CaCO₃ (19.9 gpg, 19 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Madison safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Madison water?
19.9 gpg, equal to 19 °dH, 34 °fH or 340 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Madison?
For 340 mg/L (19 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Madison?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Wisconsin DNR Drinking Water System portal (Madison Water Utility) (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Wisconsin DNR Drinking Water System portal (Madison Water Utility) · Outdated figure? Tell us