De Pere Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
917 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.37
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 De Pere, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In De Pere | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -41% |
| Washing Machine | 8.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -29% |
| Water Heater | 10 yrs | 15 yrs | -33% |
Regional Water Comparison
How De Pere compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ De Pere, Wisconsin | 139 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin | 130 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Allouez, Wisconsin | 128.4 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Green Bay, Wisconsin | 130 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Howard, Wisconsin | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How De Pere compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ De Pere | 139 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes De Pere's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The De Pere Water Department serves the city of De Pere in Brown County, Wisconsin, providing drinking water to approximately 25,000 residents and businesses. The primary source is the Fox River, with intake near the De Pere dam. Water is treated at the city's water treatment plant using conventional processes including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection with chlorination. The service area covers the city and adjacent portions of Brown County along the Fox River corridor leading to Green Bay. The 2024 Water Utility Report Card rates water quality at 99.8/100, indicating strong compliance with health standards.
The Fox River watershed spans over 7,500 square miles, draining into Green Bay via Lake Michigan. In the De Pere area, geology consists of Silurian-age dolomite and limestone bedrock from the Niagaran Group, interspersed with Ordovician shales. These carbonate formations impart a hard character to the water through mineral dissolution. Glacial deposits from the Pleistocene epoch further enhance mineralization as surface runoff interacts with the terrain, shaping the moderately mineralized supply typical of eastern Wisconsin river systems.
Hard water in De Pere causes scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Soap lathering is less effective, often requiring more detergent. Regular flushing of water heaters, installing sediment filters, and using a water softener are recommended to mitigate staining on fixtures and preserve water pressure. The utility meets all EPA requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act, with no notable violations or contaminants highlighted in recent assessments; treatment includes chlorination for disinfection.
Geology & Source: Lower Fox River watershed over Silurian Niagaran Series dolomite and limestone bedrock, interspersed with Ordovician shales; carbonate dissolution imparts moderate hardness; Pleistocene glacial till and outwash enhance mineral leaching
Other Wisconsin Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is De Pere's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in De Pere?
How does De Pere compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for De Pere 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.