1
At 15.5 GPG, Madison's water qualifies as very hard. This can cause limescale in pipes and shorten appliance lifespan.
2
PFAS have been identified in Madison's water at 3.4 parts per trillion. A reverse osmosis system is the most reliable home treatment.
3
Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Madison's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

58 /100

Poor

"Good" threshold (70)

Madison tap water is sourced from Groundwater deep sandstone aquifer and treated by Madison Water Utility. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected. Water hardness is very hard at 15.5 GPG which may cause scale buildup. TDS is 545 ppm which is above the EPA secondary guideline of 500 ppm. Overall purity score: 58/100 (Poor). Updated for 2026.

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Best filters matched to Madison's 4 issues.

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MATCHED TO MADISON'S WATER DATA

Best Water Filters for Madison, WI (2026)

Matched to PFAS Detected, Very Hard Water (15.5 GPG), Moderate Chlorine in Madison.

PFAS Detected Very Hard Water (15.5 GPG) Moderate Chlorine

Best Overall #1 for Madison

Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher

Pitcher Filter

$80-95

Why this fits Madison

Removes 99%+ of PFAS detected in Madison's water
Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Madison's water
NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI 53 + NSF/ANSI 401 certified

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 PFAS

Waterdrop G3P800 Tankless RO

Tankless Reverse Osmosis

$380-450

Why this fits Madison

Removes 99%+ of PFAS detected in Madison's water
Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Madison's water
NSF/ANSI 58 + NSF 372 certified

Pros & Cons +

No tank saves cabinet space

800 GPD fast flow rate

Higher upfront cost

Filter replacements are proprietary

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Best for Taste

APEC Water Systems ROES-50

Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis

$195-220

Why this fits Madison

Removes 99%+ of PFAS detected in Madison's water
Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Madison's water
NSF/ANSI 58 certified

Pros & Cons +

5-stage filtration removes 99%+ of contaminants

Long-lasting filters (6-12 month replacement)

Requires under-sink installation

Wastes some water during filtration

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Best Value

Waterdrop 10UA Under-Sink Filter

Under-Sink Carbon Filter

$40-60

Why this fits Madison

Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Madison'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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As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap may earn from qualifying purchases. Based on latest Madison water data.

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City data shows averages. Your home may differ.

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Madison Water FAQ

Is Madison WI tap water safe to drink in 2026?

Madison tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 58/100 (Poor) on PurityMap for 2026. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected at 3.4 ppt. An NSF-certified filter is strongly recommended. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.

Does Madison WI use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?

Madison uses chlorine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.2 ppm. Standard activated carbon filters including pitcher filters are effective at removing free chlorine taste and odor.

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

Madison water hardness is 15.5 grains per gallon (very hard) with a TDS of 545 ppm (unacceptable). 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 Madison WI drinking water?

Yes. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected in Madison water at approximately 3.4 ppt according to EPA UCMR5 monitoring data. A reverse osmosis or NSF P473-certified filter is the most effective residential solution.

What is the best water filter for Madison?

Based on Madison's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Madison: PFAS detected or elevated lead risk. Reverse osmosis is the only residential technology proven to reduce both below detection limits. TDS will also drop significantly.

Nearby Reports

JanesvilleWisconsin — 73/100 Green BayWisconsin — 79/100 KenoshaWisconsin — 79/100 RacineWisconsin — 79/100 AppletonWisconsin — 79/100 OshkoshWisconsin — 79/100

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Data Sources

EPA SDWIS
EWG Tap Water Database
Madison Water Utility CCR
USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

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