Caledonia Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
15 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
838.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.69
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 Caledonia, your appliances are currently losing 34% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Caledonia | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -66% |
| Water Heater | 5.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -65% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Caledonia compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Caledonia, Wisconsin | 257 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Oak Creek, Wisconsin | 237.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| South Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 103 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin | 134 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Franklin, Wisconsin | 145 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Caledonia compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Caledonia | 257 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Caledonia's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Caledonia, Wisconsin, in Racine County between Racine and Kenosha on Lake Michigan, receives its municipal water from the Village of Caledonia Water Utility, drawing from groundwater wells in the Silurian Niagara Dolomite Aquifer — the principal bedrock aquifer underlying all of southeastern Wisconsin. While Racine and other Lake Michigan shoreline communities have largely transitioned to Lake Michigan surface water supply, Caledonia maintains a groundwater-based supply tapping the dolomite bedrock beneath the village's rural and suburban landscape.
The very hard 257 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 838.7 mg/L are directly attributable to the Niagara Dolomite's exceptional mineral richness. The Niagara Dolomite formation in Racine County is a thick, massively bedded carbonate rock deposited as ancient Silurian tropical reefs and lagoonal sediments approximately 420–430 million years ago. This dolomite (calcium magnesium carbonate, CaMg(CO₃)₂) is highly soluble in weakly acidic groundwater, releasing calcium and magnesium bicarbonates as water circulates through fractures and pores in the bedrock. Associated sulfate minerals (gypsum, anhydrite) in the Silurian sequence contribute additionally to the elevated TDS.
At 257 mg/L, Caledonia residents deal with very hard water producing aggressive mineral effects throughout all home systems. Scale accumulates rapidly in kettles and coffee machines within weeks, dishwashers leave persistent white deposits on glassware requiring softener salts to maintain results, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium crust almost immediately after cleaning. Water heater elements should be inspected and descaled annually to prevent efficiency losses from carbonate insulation. A whole-house water softener is strongly recommended and widely installed throughout Racine County. The PFAS level of 6.7 ppt warrants additional consideration of a certified drinking water filter for daily consumption.
Geology & Source: Caledonia in Racine County draws from the Silurian Niagara Dolomite Aquifer — the dominant bedrock aquifer of southeastern Wisconsin underlying all of Racine County — the Niagara Dolomite consists of ancient reef-derived calcium magnesium carbonate rock formed approximately 430 million years ago — prolific carbonate dissolution from deep dolomite wells produces very hard water at 257 mg/L with high TDS of 838.7 mg/L characteristic of the Racine County aquifer zone.