Cudahy Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
793.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Cudahy, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Cudahy | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Cudahy compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cudahy, Wisconsin | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| South Milwaukee, Wisconsin | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Oak Creek, Wisconsin | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Milwaukee, Wisconsin | ≈ 60–120 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Shorewood, Wisconsin | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Cudahy compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cudahy | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Cudahy's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Cudahy is a municipality in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, served by the Cudahy Water Division. The utility draws from deep groundwater wells in Milwaukee County, tapping the Silurian Niagara Dolomite aquifer underlying southeast Wisconsin. Official Consumer Confidence Reports, EPA SDWIS records, and specific treatment plant details for the Cudahy Water Division were not accessible during the preparation of this profile. Residents seeking current water quality data, compliance information, or specific contaminant levels should contact the Cudahy Water Utility directly or request the most recent annual Consumer Confidence Report.
Cudahy's groundwater originates from the Silurian Niagara Dolomite aquifer, a major carbonate formation underlying Milwaukee County and much of southeast Wisconsin. This thick dolomite unit is characteristic of Paleozoic carbonate geology in the region. As water moves through the dolomite, it dissolves substantial quantities of calcium and magnesium, producing very hard groundwater with high total dissolved solids (TDS). The geology's carbonate-dominated character is the primary driver of the area's high water hardness.
Very hard groundwater from the Niagara Dolomite causes significant limescale accumulation in water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and kettle elements, reducing efficiency and shortening appliance lifespan. Soap forms scum rather than lather, plumbing fixtures develop heavy white deposits, and pipes can constrict over time from scale. A water softener is strongly advisable for households. Residents should contact the Cudahy Water Utility directly or review the latest annual water quality report for confirmed hardness values, pH, lead, copper, and PFAS data.
Geology & Source: Silurian Niagara Dolomite aquifer — deep Milwaukee County wells; southeast Wisconsin carbonate dolomite dissolves calcium and magnesium — very hard groundwater with high TDS
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cudahy's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Cudahy?
How does Cudahy compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Cudahy is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
Water Hardness
Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
TDS — Total Dissolved Solids
Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.
PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.
Lead
Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Appliance Lifespan
Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.