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City water profile

Altoona water quality

Compare local ZIP estimates, evidence quality, associated public systems, and compliance history for Altoona, Wisconsin.

Median indexed hardness

261PPM

One indexed ZIP

Range 261–261 PPM

State comparison
27 PPM below
State hardness rank
#343 of 479
Matched utilities
2
Active health records
1

City summary

What the indexed records say

Altoona has 1 published ZIP profile across Eau Claire County. The indexed median is 261 PPM, compared with 288 PPM across Wisconsin.

Among the 479 Wisconsincities with an indexed median, Altoona ranks #343from highest to lowest. Across all 556 state ZIP profiles, available estimates run from 41.3to 467 PPM.

Because only one ZIP is represented, the city median and range are the same local estimate. It should not be read as multiple independent samples across the community. At least one estimate is marked low confidence, so observation distance and date deserve extra attention.

Hardness distribution

How local ZIP estimates compare

Soft0 ZIPs
Moderately hard0 ZIPs
Hard0 ZIPs
Very hard1 ZIP

1 of 1 ZIP profiles have a hardness estimate. Bars count ZIP profiles, not households or laboratory samples.

Evidence quality

Distance, dates, and confidence

Median nearest distance
46.1 miles
Profiles with evidence
1/1

Confidence labels

High: 0Moderate: 0Low: 1

Observation window: Jul 11, 2018 to Aug 30, 2018.

ZIP directory

Water reports in Altoona

Open a ZIP for site-level provenance and measurements.

ZIP code

54720

Very Hard

261 PPM

Nearest site
46.1 mi
Confidence
Low

View full ZIP evidence →

Public water systems

Utilities associated with this city

Altoona Waterworks

PWSID WI6180280

Groundwater
System population served
9,627
Last reported
May 29, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Hillcrest Estates Mhp

PWSID WI6180285

Groundwater
System population served
850
Last reported
May 29, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Compliance history

What EPA records show

1 unique active health-based record appears among associated systems. This does not mean every contaminant was tested at every tap.

RecordSystemPeriodStatus
Public NoticeWI6180280Oct 17, 2024Unaddressed
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSWI6180280Oct 17, 2024Resolved · health-based
Groundwater RuleWI6180285Dec 31, 2023Addressed · health-based
Revised Total Coliform RuleWI6180285Jul 15, 2022Resolved · health-based
Revised Total Coliform RuleWI6180285Jul 1, 2022Resolved
Lead and Copper RuleWI6180285Jan 1, 2022Resolved
Public NoticeWI6180285Dec 14, 2010Unaddressed

Practical next steps

Move from index to evidence

  1. 1. Open your ZIP. Check distance, dates, confidence, and the associated utility.
  2. 2. Read the current CCR. Confirm source water, detections, limits, ranges, and notices.
  3. 3. Test the tap when needed. Confirm health concerns or treatment sizing with the right method.

Questions people ask

About water in Altoona

Is the water hard?

The indexed city median is 261 PPM. Open the ZIP report to verify the distance and confidence behind that estimate.

Is the tap water safe?

Compliance history is utility-wide and cannot guarantee conditions at every tap. Check current notices and test when address-specific evidence is needed.

Do I need treatment?

Choose treatment only after confirming the problem at the property. A softener targets hardness; contaminant treatment requires a matching, verified performance claim.