Cedarburg Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.7 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
278.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.31
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 Cedarburg, your appliances are currently losing 15% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Cedarburg | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -32% |
| Washing Machine | 9.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -22% |
| Water Heater | 11 yrs | 15 yrs | -27% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Cedarburg compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cedarburg, Wisconsin | 115.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Grafton, Wisconsin | 224.5 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Mequon, Wisconsin | 238 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Brown Deer, Wisconsin | 218.5 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Germantown, Wisconsin | 184.5 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Cedarburg compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cedarburg | 115.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Cedarburg's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Cedarburg, Wisconsin, in Ozaukee County — an Ozaukee County city adjacent to Grafton and Mequon on the Cedar Creek in east-central Wisconsin — receives its water from the City of Cedarburg Water Department, drawing from Silurian dolomite wells through the east-central Wisconsin distribution.
The moderately hard 115.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 278.9 mg/L reflect the Ozaukee County Silurian dolomite supply's moderate character — while the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite is highly dolomitic, the Cedar Creek zone of Cedarburg's wells taps somewhat shallower formations that produce less extreme hardness than deeper Ozaukee County wells (compare Grafton WI: 225/689 in Ozaukee County; Mequon WI: 118/284 in Ozaukee County; Cedarburg consistent moderate from the same Ozaukee County Silurian dolomitic groundwater supply). The Silurian-Ordovician dolomite aquifer at Ozaukee County — Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite (dolomitic — secondary contributor), and Quaternary glacial outwash (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 115.5 mg/L with TDS 279, Cedarburg's water is moderately hard — scale builds over time in appliances. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 3.5 ppt is moderate and well-managed. Review the City of Cedarburg's annual water quality report for the latest monitoring data.
Geology & Source: Cedarburg in Ozaukee County draws from the City of Cedarburg Water on the Kettle Moraine aquifer (Ozaukee County, east-central Wisconsin) — the Ozaukee County aquifer is developed in Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic) and Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite (dolomitic) — Wisconsin Ozaukee County Silurian dolomitic groundwater produces moderately hard water at 115.5 mg/L with TDS 278.9 mg/L.