Hardness
Very Hard
261 PPM · 15.3 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Altoona, WI 54720
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Eau Claire County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Altoona Waterworks
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Eau Claire County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
9.9e-4 mg/L
7% of action level
Utility match
2 systems
Serves 9,627 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
261 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
261
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
15.3
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 261 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
16
Nearest site
46.1 mi
Observation range
Jul 11, 2018–Aug 30, 2018
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: PDCT-U7 024N16W09AA 01 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 54720 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Altoona median
261 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 261–261 PPM
Wisconsin median
288 PPM
27 PPM lower556 indexed ZIP readings · Range 41.3–467 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
9.9e-4 mg/L
Reported Jun 30, 2025
Copper (CU90)
4.1 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2009
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 9.9e-4
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 4.1
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 7
- Health-based
- 3
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Notice | WI6180280 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | WI6180280 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Mar 13, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | WI6180285 | Addressed | Dec 31, 2023 |
| Revised Total Coliform RuleHealth-based | WI6180285 | Resolved | Jul 15, 2022through Jul 25, 2022 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | WI6180285 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2022through Jul 31, 2022 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | WI6180285 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2022through Jan 11, 2022 |
| Public Notice | WI6180285 | Unaddressed | Dec 14, 2010 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Altoona ZIP 54720 using 261 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
261 PPM is 2× the high-hardness trigger used by this matcher.
Designed to reduce scale on fixtures, water heaters, glassware, and plumbing throughout the home.
Compare whole-house systemsDrinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Copper (90th percentile), Groundwater Rule have a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Altoona
Is tap water safe in Altoona?+
EPA ECHO reports 1 active health-based violation among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 261 PPM, or 15.3 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 261 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.