Eau Claire Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.8 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
460.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.45
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 Eau Claire, your appliances are currently losing 22% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Eau Claire | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -53% |
| Washing Machine | 7.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -38% |
| Water Heater | 8.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -41% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Eau Claire compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Eau Claire, Wisconsin | 168.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin | 142 mg/L | 4.1 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 Eau Claire compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Eau Claire | 168.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Eau Claire's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the Eau Claire County seat at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers in northwest Wisconsin — a university city (University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire) and the hub of the Chippewa Valley — draws its municipal water supply from the Chippewa River and Eau Claire River via the City of Eau Claire Water Division, treating Chippewa River water at the Eau Claire Water Treatment Plant serving the Eau Claire metropolitan area. The Chippewa River at Eau Claire drains the northwest Wisconsin Northwoods terrain. Water hardness in Eau Claire measures 168.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
Eau Claire's hard supply reflects the Chippewa River watershed's geology traversing the Wisconsin Precambrian highland and the Cambrian–Ordovician carbonate belt. The Chippewa River above Eau Claire drains: the Precambrian Penokean Range (Animikie Group metasediments and rhyolite and basalt volcanic sequences — calcium-poor contribution); the Cambrian Eau Claire Formation (the Cambrian sand/shale unit bearing some calcareous cement); the Cambrian Galesville and Ironton Sandstone (siliceous); and the Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite (highly reactive calcareous dolomite exposed in the Chippewa Valley). The Prairie du Chien Dolomite in the Chippewa Valley contributes significant dissolved calcium to the Chippewa River at Eau Claire.
At 168.5 mg/L, Eau Claire residents face regular hard water challenges. Scale deposits form on faucet aerators, showerheads, and appliances within weeks — monthly descaling with citric acid solution is standard maintenance. City of Eau Claire Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Wisconsin DNR and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Eau Claire River and Chippewa River via the City of Eau Claire Water Division — the Chippewa River northwest Wisconsin watershed draining the Precambrian Penokean Range rhyolite and basalt, Cambrian Eau Claire Formation, and Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite of Eau Claire County; hard supply at 168.5 mg/L in Eau Claire County.