Red Wing Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.6 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
435.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.53
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Red Wing, your appliances are currently losing 26% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Red Wing | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -65% |
| Washing Machine | 6.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -48% |
| Water Heater | 7.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -49% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Red Wing compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Red Wing, Minnesota | 198.5 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| River Falls, Wisconsin | 129 mg/L | 3.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Hastings, Minnesota | 167.5 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Hudson, Wisconsin | 206 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Cottage Grove, Minnesota | 199 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Red Wing compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Red Wing | 198.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Red Wing home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Red Wing's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Red Wing, Minnesota, in Goodhue County — a Goodhue County city adjacent to Welch and Frontenac on the Mississippi River in the southeast Minnesota bluff lands — receives its municipal water from the Red Wing Water Division, drawing from the Mississippi River at Red Wing (Goodhue County) through the Red Wing treatment plant.
The hard 198.5 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 435.1 mg/L reflect the upper Mississippi Driftless Area's intense carbonate character. The Mississippi River at Goodhue County drains the Driftless Area — Ordovician Galena Dolomite (the dominant upper Mississippi carbonate platform — very high purity dolomite, extensively outcropping in the bluff lands), Ordovician Prairie du Chien Group (dolomite carbonate), and Silurian carbonate units. The exceptionally calcareous Driftless Area Ordovician-Silurian formations produce the hard upper Mississippi Goodhue County supply.
At 198.5 mg/L, Red Wing's water is hard — scale builds steadily in kettles and appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and water heaters should be descaled annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 5.7 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Goodhue County southeast Minnesota light-industrial corridor, and the upper Mississippi River PFAS background from upstream Minnesota-Wisconsin agricultural and industrial sources contribute to Red Wing's readings.
Geology & Source: Red Wing in Goodhue County draws from the Red Wing Water Division on the Mississippi River (Goodhue County, southeast Minnesota) — the Mississippi at Goodhue County drains the Driftless Area (Ordovician Galena Dolomite, Silurian Prairie du Chien carbonate — very calcareous) — Minnesota Goodhue County Mississippi River Ordovician-Silurian carbonate watershed produces hard water at 198.5 mg/L with TDS 435.1 mg/L in this Goodhue County Minnesota city.