Chippewa Falls Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.3 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
365.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.38
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 Chippewa Falls, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Chippewa Falls | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -42% |
| Washing Machine | 8.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -31% |
| Water Heater | 9.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -34% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Chippewa Falls compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin | 142 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Eau Claire, Wisconsin | 168.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Menomonie, Wisconsin | 236.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Winona, Minnesota | 204 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Onalaska, Wisconsin | 274.5 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Chippewa Falls compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Chippewa Falls | 142 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Chippewa Falls home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Chippewa Falls's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in Chippewa County — the Chippewa County seat adjacent to Eau Claire and Bloomer on the Chippewa River in northwest Wisconsin — receives its water from the Chippewa Falls Water Utility, drawing from the Chippewa River or Lake Wissota (Chippewa County) through the northwest Wisconsin water treatment system.
The moderately hard 142 mg/L hardness and TDS of 365.4 mg/L reflect the northwest Wisconsin Chippewa River supply's moderate dolomitic character — driven by the Cambrian and Ordovician dolomitic-calcareous bedrock dissolution through the Wisconsin Upland geology typical of west-central Wisconsin river communities. The Chippewa River at Chippewa County drains the Wisconsin Upland — Cambrian Elk Mound Sandstone (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite (dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), and Silurian Niagara Dolomite (dolomitic — secondary contributor).
At 142 mg/L, Chippewa Falls' water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Chippewa County northwest Wisconsin industrial corridor and the Chippewa River basin legacy sites contribute to Chippewa Falls' readings.
Geology & Source: Chippewa Falls in Chippewa County draws from the Chippewa Falls Water Utility on the Chippewa River or Lake Wissota (Chippewa County, northwest Wisconsin) — the Chippewa at Chippewa County drains the Wisconsin Upland (Cambrian Elk Mound Sandstone — slightly calcareous, Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite — dolomitic) — Wisconsin Chippewa County Chippewa River Cambrian-Ordovician dolomitic watershed produces moderately hard water at 142 mg/L with TDS 365.4 mg/L.