Water softeners and filtration in Madison, WI

What does Madison Water Utility publish about Madison water?

Madison Water Utility pumps groundwater from a deep sandstone aquifer through wells across the city.

• Hardness differs from well to well. The 22 well reports we read give 270 to 580 mg/L, and nine of them are harder than the citywide FAQ figure.

Madison water by well: where each one serves, its own figures and how it is treated.

What does 308 to 580 mg/L mean for a Madison home?

308 to 580 mg/L is about 18.0 to 33.9 grains per gallon. The low end, 308 mg/L, is 128 mg/L over the 180 mg/L line where the USGS very hard class starts; Madison's high end, 580 mg/L, is 400 mg/L over the 180 mg/L line where the USGS very hard class starts. (USGS hardness classes)

Which systems fit Madison water?

How does a Madison quote work?

1. Send a request from one of the 13 Madison ZIP codes listed below.
2. An assessment at your home, where your tap can be checked against Madison Water Utility's published 308 to 580 mg/L.
3. You get a written quote listing what is included.
4. Installation and service by that company.

Common questions

How hard is the water in Madison?

Hardness, citywide reported by Madison Water Utility: 18-20 grains per gallon (Undated FAQ). Hardness, Unit Well 6 reported by Madison Water Utility: 450 mg/L (26 grains per gallon) (Calendar year 2025). Hardness, Unit Well 14 reported by Madison Water Utility: 580 mg/L (34 grains per gallon) (Calendar year 2025).

Is Madison water hard or soft?

Very hard. The low end, 308 mg/L, is 128 mg/L over the 180 mg/L line where the USGS very hard class starts; Madison's high end, 580 mg/L, is 400 mg/L over the 180 mg/L line where the USGS very hard class starts.

How many grains per gallon is Madison water?

In grains per gallon, as published: 18 to 20 grains per gallon (Madison Water Utility, hardness, citywide, Undated FAQ); 26 grains per gallon (Madison Water Utility, hardness, unit well 6, Calendar year 2025); 34 grains per gallon (Madison Water Utility, hardness, unit well 14, Calendar year 2025).

Where does Madison tap water come from?

Madison water is all groundwater, pumped by 21 active wells from a deep sandstone aquifer under the city. Source: Madison Water Utility water quality report.

Does water differ across Madison?

Each Madison well serves its own part of town, and the utility publishes a separate quality report for each well, so water differs by neighborhood. Source: Madison Water Utility water quality report.

Is Madison water treated with chlorine or chloramine?

Madison Water Utility disinfects with chlorine and says it does not use chloramine. Source: Madison Water Utility water quality FAQ. A softener does not remove it.

Do I need a water softener in Madison?

Madison Water Utility publishes 308 to 580 mg/L for Madison, which reads as very hard. A test at your house shows whether your tap matches it.

How much does a water softener cost in Madison?

We publish no prices for Madison. The installing company gives a written quote after an assessment at your home.

Who installs the system?

We have not named a local installing company for Madison yet. We will tell you the company's name and ask you before your request is shared with anyone.

Is Madison Water Systems part of the city or the water utility?

No. Madison Water Systems is not affiliated with Madison Water Utility; it copies and links the published figures.

Is booking an assessment a purchase?

No, and a request commits you to nothing.

Which ZIP codes does this page cover?

53703, 53704, 53705, 53706, 53713, 53714, 53715, 53716, 53717, 53718, 53719, 53726, 53792

Compare published hardness in other cities on hard water by city.

Machine-readable facts: water.json. Summary for AI assistants: llms.txt.