Hardness
Very Hard
255 PPM · 14.9 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Genoa, WI 54632
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Vernon County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Genoa City Waterworks
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Vernon 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
0.0046 mg/L
30% of action level
Utility match
3 systems
Serves 2,766 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
255 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
255
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
14.9
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 255 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
7
Nearest site
25.6 mi
Observation range
Aug 3, 2016–May 15, 2019
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: 098N05W30ACDC 08170 1957Waukon 4 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 54632 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Genoa median
255 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 255–255 PPM
Wisconsin median
288 PPM
33 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)
0.0046 mg/L
Reported Sep 30, 2025
Copper (CU90)
2.35 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2004
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0046
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 2.35
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 44
- Health-based
- 3
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | WI6630254 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Nov 21, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | WI6630254 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Nov 17, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | WI6630268 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Aug 22, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | WI6630268 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Aug 21, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | WI6630268 | Resolved | Jun 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | WI6630268 | Resolved | May 1, 2025through May 31, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | WI6630268 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2025through Apr 30, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | WI6630268 | Resolved | Mar 1, 2025through Mar 31, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | WI6630268 | Resolved | Feb 1, 2025through Feb 28, 2025 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | WI6630268 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2025through Mar 31, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | WI6630268 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2025through Dec 19, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | WI6630254 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| Public Notice | WI6630254 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| Public Notice | WI6630254 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | WI6630254 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| Public Notice | WI6630268 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | WI6630268 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Sep 24, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WI6630268 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | WI6630268 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Oct 7, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | WI6630254 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Jan 17, 2024 |
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 Genoa ZIP 54632 using 255 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
255 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), LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS 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 Genoa
Is tap water safe in Genoa?+
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 255 PPM, or 14.9 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 255 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.