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What Homeowners Need to Know

Water Quality in Hatland, Wisconsin

Hartland, WI is located in the Lake Country region of Waukesha County and sources its water primarily from deep municipal wells. These wells draw from radium-rich bedrock, contributing to elevated radium levels, one of the key water quality concerns in this region. For households outside the main municipal system, private wells are common and face additional risks, including nitrate contamination from agricultural runoff, iron, manganese, and sulfur presence due to mineral-heavy soils.

Municipal water in Hartland undergoes treatment to meet EPA standards, but many contaminants still exceed health-based guidelines recommended by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). These include radioactive elements, disinfection byproducts, and industrial pollutants. Private well users face minimal regulation and often lack routine testing, which increases the chances of exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), arsenic, and bacteria. Whether on city water or a well system, Hartland homeowners should consider regular water testing and filtration to ensure their water is safe, especially for families with young children, elderly members, or those with health sensitivities.
Water Quality in Hartland, Wisconsin
Know what’s in your Cedarburg WI tap water – EWG water quality awareness graphic

Contaminants of Concern in Hartland’s Water

EWG.org Research (via ZIP Code for Hartland, WI – 53029)

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) collects and analyzes water quality data from U.S. utilities, offering insight into what’s in your water beyond what’s legally allowed. EWG’s health guidelines reflect the latest science and are often much stricter than federal regulations. In Hartland, WI, their tap water analysis shows 29 total contaminants, with 13 of them exceeding EWG’s health-based guidelines. These findings raise important concerns for long-term exposure—especially for children, pregnant women, and individuals with health issues.

  • Total contaminants exceeding health guidelines: 13

Top 10 Contaminants Detected (with tested levels):

  1. Arsenic – 0.162 ppb (41× EWG guideline)
  2. Bromodichloromethane – 0.517 ppb (8.6×)
  3. Chromium (hexavalent) – 0.242 ppb (12×)
  4. Dibromoacetic acid – 0.803 ppb (27×)
  5. Dibromochloromethane – 1.05 ppb (11×)
  6. Haloacetic acids (HAA5) – 1.10 ppb (11×)
  7. Nitrate – 4.15 ppm (30×)
  8. PFHXS (perfluorohexane sulfonate) – 1.51 ppt (1,511×)
  9. PFOS – 0.62 ppt (2.1×)
  10. PFOA – 0.91 ppt (10×)
  • Key Notes on Water Findings: Many contaminants in Hartland’s water exceed EWG’s stricter health benchmarks—some by hundreds or thousands of times. These include heavy metals, disinfection byproducts, nitrates, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are linked to cancer, developmental issues, and organ toxicity.
View the EWG.org report for Hartland

Solutions to Common Issues

Choosing the Right Water Treatment for Your Home

Not all water is the same and neither are the solutions. Whether your water comes from a city supply or a private well, it can carry different minerals, chemicals, or contaminants that affect your home and health.

That’s why it’s important to look at all four key options:

  1. Water softeners for hard water problems
  2. Whole house filters for chlorine, odors, and sediment
  3. Reverse osmosis systems for safe, great-tasting drinking water
  4. Iron filters for rust stains and rotten egg smells

Your water source and the issues it brings will help determine which system (or combination) is right for you.

Water Softener

Hard water has minerals like calcium and magnesium that cause issues around your home. A water softener removes them for cleaner, better-feeling water.

Hard water can:

  • Leave spots on dishes
  • Make soap and shampoo less effective
  • Cause buildup on faucets and showerheads
  • Shorten the life of appliances
  • Dry out your skin and hair

A water softener:

  • Removes hard minerals
  • Helps soap work better
  • Protects appliances
  • Makes water feel soft on skin

If you see signs of hard water, a softener is a smart fix.

Water Softeners

Drinking Water System

Even if your tap water looks clean, it can still contain dissolved solids, chemicals, or contaminants you don’t want to drink. Reverse osmosis gives you highly purified water, right at the tap.

Unfiltered drinking water can have:

  • Chlorine, lead, or other chemicals
  • Nitrates, fluoride, or heavy metals
  • Cloudiness or bad taste
  • Pollutants from old pipes or plumbing

A reverse osmosis system:

  • Removes up to 99% of contaminants
  • Improves taste, clarity, and odor
  • Gives you bottled-quality water at home
  • Fits neatly under the kitchen sink

If you want cleaner, safer, better-tasting drinking water, RO is the gold standard.

Drinking Water Systems

Iron Filter

If your water leaves orange stains or smells like metal or rotten eggs, iron could be the problem. An iron filter removes it before it damages your home.

Iron in water can:

  • Leave orange or brown stains in sinks, tubs, and toilets
  • Make water smell metallic or like rotten eggs (if sulfur is present)
  • Clog plumbing and damage appliances
  • Affect the taste of your water and food
  • Turn laundry yellow or dingy

An iron filter:

  • Removes iron, manganese, and sulfur odors
  • Protects pipes, water heaters, and fixtures
  • Stops staining and metallic smells
  • Keeps water clear and fresh

If your water looks rusty or smells off, an iron filter can make a big difference.

Whole House Water Filter

Tap water can carry things you don’t want—like chlorine, sediment, rust, or even odd tastes and smells. A whole house filter cleans the water before it reaches any faucet.

Unfiltered water can:

  • Smell or taste bad
  • Leave stains in sinks, tubs, and toilets
  • Carry chlorine or other chemicals
  • Irritate skin or worsen allergies
  • Let sediment build up in pipes and appliances 

A whole house filter:

  • Removes chlorine, rust, dirt, and odors
  • Improves water taste and smell
  • Protects pipes, fixtures, and appliances
  • Provides clean water from every tap
Iron Filters & Whole Home Systems
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Expert Advice, Exacting Science.

Get a Free Water Test in Hartland

Wondering what’s in your water? Schedule a free in-home water test and get professional insight into your home’s water quality. Our local team will test your water and recommend the right solution based on your results.

No pressure. Just clear answers and better water.

Call (262) 549-7733 or use our easy online scheduler now!

Why Hartland Homeowners Choose Water Doctors

Local knowledge and experience with Hartland’s specific water chemistry Tailored solutions that fit a range of household needs and budgets Proven systems backed by expert installation and support
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