1
At 8.5 GPG, Appleton's water qualifies as moderately hard. This can cause limescale in pipes and shorten appliance lifespan.
2
Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Appleton's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

79 /100

Good

"Good" threshold (70)

Appleton tap water is sourced from Lake Winnebago and treated by City of Appleton Water Department. Water hardness is hard at 8.5 GPG which may cause scale buildup. Overall purity score: 79/100 (Good). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Appleton's 3 issues.

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MATCHED TO APPLETON'S WATER DATA

Best Water Filters for Appleton, WI (2026)

Matched to Hard Water (8.5 GPG), Moderate Chlorine in Appleton.

Hard Water (8.5 GPG) Moderate Chlorine

Best Overall #1 for Appleton

AFWFilters 5600sxt 48000 Grain Softener

Salt-Based Water Softener

$650-750

Why this fits Appleton

Handles Appleton's hard water (Hard Water (8.5 GPG))
Premium quality at $650-750

Pros & Cons +

48000 grain capacity handles very hard water

Digital metered valve saves salt

Requires salt refills monthly

Does not remove contaminants

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Best Value

Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher

Pitcher Filter

$80-95

Why this fits Appleton

Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Appleton's water
NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI 53 + NSF/ANSI 401 certified
Budget-friendly at $80-95

Pros & Cons +

No installation fill and pour

Removes 365+ contaminants including PFAS

Small capacity 2-3 people

Filter replacements every 4 months

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Best for Taste

Waterdrop 10UA Under-Sink Filter

Under-Sink Carbon Filter

$40-60

Why this fits Appleton

Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Appleton's water
NSF/ANSI 42 certified
Budget-friendly at $40-60

Pros & Cons +

Very affordable

Easy DIY install no plumber

Does not remove PFAS or hardness

Single point of use only

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Also Recommended

Waterdrop G3P800 Tankless RO

Tankless Reverse Osmosis

$380-450

Why this fits Appleton

Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Appleton's water
NSF/ANSI 58 + NSF 372 certified
Premium quality at $380-450

Pros & Cons +

No tank saves cabinet space

800 GPD fast flow rate

Higher upfront cost

Filter replacements are proprietary

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As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap may earn from qualifying purchases. Based on latest Appleton water data.

Full Filter Comparison for Appleton

Know exactly what's in YOUR tap

City data shows averages. Your home may differ.

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Explore Appleton Water Data

Appleton Water FAQ

Is Appleton WI tap water safe to drink in 2026?

Appleton tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 79/100 (Good) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.

Does Appleton WI use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?

Appleton uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.4 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.

How hard is Appleton WI water and what is the TDS level?

Appleton water hardness is 8.5 grains per gallon (hard) with a TDS of 290 ppm (fair). This level causes noticeable scale buildup in water heaters kettles and dishwashers. A water softener is recommended to protect plumbing and reduce soap usage.

Has PFAS been found in Appleton WI drinking water?

Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Appleton drinking water.

What is the best water filter for Appleton?

Based on Appleton's water profile, we recommend the AFWFilters 5600sxt 48000 Grain Softener. Appleton has elevated chlorine residuals. An under-sink carbon filter removes chlorine and disinfection byproducts at the tap.

Nearby Reports

MadisonWisconsin — 58/100 JanesvilleWisconsin — 73/100 Green BayWisconsin — 79/100 KenoshaWisconsin — 79/100 RacineWisconsin — 79/100 OshkoshWisconsin — 79/100

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Data Sources

EPA SDWIS
EWG Tap Water Database
City of Appleton Water Department CCR
USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

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