Franklin Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.5 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
375.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.39
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 Franklin, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Franklin | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -44% |
| Washing Machine | 8.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -32% |
| Water Heater | 9.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -35% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Franklin compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Franklin, Wisconsin | 145 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Greendale, Wisconsin | 249.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Greenfield, Wisconsin | 250 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Muskego, Wisconsin | 146.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| New Berlin, Wisconsin | 172 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Franklin compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Franklin | 145 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Franklin's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Franklin, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County — a major south Milwaukee County suburban community (Franklin is one of the larger Milwaukee County suburbs by population, directly south of Greenfield and Oak Creek in the south Milwaukee suburban corridor), a primarily residential south Milwaukee suburb with significant retail and commercial growth along South 27th Street, a diverse Milwaukee County community, and adjacent to the Franklin Sportsmen's Club and Milwaukee County's southernmost communities — draws its municipal water supply from the deep Milwaukee County Silurian Niagara Dolomite aquifer via the City of Franklin Water Division. Water hardness in Franklin measures 145 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
Franklin's moderate hardness — softer than neighboring Greenfield (250 mg/L) — reflects a mix of sources in the Franklin distribution system. The Milwaukee County deep aquifer at Franklin draws from: the Silurian Niagara Dolomite (highly calcareous dolomite — the Lockport Dolomite equivalent in Milwaukee County); and potentially some Lake Michigan water purchase blending from the MMSD (Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District) system in some zones. The Franklin Water Division's supply blend produces the moderate 145 mg/L — substantially softer than deep dolomite-only communities.
At 145 mg/L, Franklin residents encounter moderate scale accumulation. Monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is recommended. City of Franklin Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Wisconsin DNR and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Milwaukee County deep sandstone aquifer (Silurian Niagara Dolomite and Cambrian Mount Simon Sandstone) via the City of Franklin Water Division — the Milwaukee County south suburban Wisconsin lake plain (Silurian Niagara Dolomite — the highly calcareous Milwaukee County dolomite bedrock; deep Milwaukee County aquifer supply); moderately hard supply at 145 mg/L in Milwaukee County.