Brown Deer Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.8 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
662.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.58
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 Brown Deer, your appliances are currently losing 29% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Brown Deer | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -72% |
| Washing Machine | 5.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -54% |
| Water Heater | 6.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -54% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Brown Deer compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Brown Deer, Wisconsin | 218.5 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Glendale, Wisconsin | 198.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin | 97 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Mequon, Wisconsin | 238 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Shorewood, Wisconsin | 246.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Brown Deer compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Brown Deer | 218.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Brown Deer's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Brown Deer, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County — a Milwaukee County village adjacent to Mequon and Glendale in north Milwaukee metro — receives its water from the Milwaukee Water Works (MWW), drawing from Lake Michigan through the Milwaukee metropolitan treatment and distribution system.
The hard 218.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 662.4 mg/L reflect the Milwaukee County Lake Michigan supply's hard dolomitic character — the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite is the primary bedrock beneath the Milwaukee area and imparts high dolomitic hardness to groundwater and lake-derived water alike, while Ordovician Maquoketa Shale contributes modest TDS (compare Milwaukee WI: 215/655 in Milwaukee County comparable; Wauwatosa WI: 220/668 in Milwaukee County comparable; Brown Deer consistent hard from the same Milwaukee County Lake Michigan Silurian dolomitic supply). The Lake Michigan basin at Milwaukee County — Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Maquoketa Shale (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary glacial drift (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 218.5 mg/L with TDS 662, Brown Deer's water is hard — significant scale builds in water heaters and appliances over months. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Milwaukee County southeast Wisconsin industrial and Great Lakes basin sources contribute to Brown Deer's moderate PFAS readings. Review the Milwaukee Water Works annual report for the latest data.
Geology & Source: Brown Deer in Milwaukee County draws from the Milwaukee Water Works on Lake Michigan (Milwaukee County, southeast Wisconsin) — the Lake Michigan basin at Milwaukee County is underlain by Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic) and Ordovician Maquoketa Shale (slightly calcareous) — Wisconsin Milwaukee County Lake Michigan Silurian dolomitic supply produces hard water at 218.5 mg/L with TDS 662.4 mg/L.