Greendale Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
14.6 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
802.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.67
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 Greendale, your appliances are currently losing 33% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Greendale | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -63% |
| Water Heater | 5.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -63% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Greendale compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Greendale, Wisconsin | 249.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Greenfield, Wisconsin | 250 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Franklin, Wisconsin | 145 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| West Allis, Wisconsin | 260 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | 240 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Greendale compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Greendale | 249.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Greendale's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Greendale, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County — a Milwaukee County village adjacent to Hales Corners and Cudahy in the south Milwaukee metro — receives its water from the Milwaukee Water Works, drawing from Lake Michigan (Milwaukee County) through the Milwaukee metro distribution.
The extremely hard 249.5 mg/L hardness and very high TDS of 802.7 mg/L reflect the southeast Wisconsin Milwaukee Lake Michigan supply's very hard character — considerably harder than the northeast Illinois Lake County Lake Michigan communities (Lindenhurst: 146 mg/L), driven by the Milwaukee Water Works' treatment blend and the south Lake Michigan basin's more concentrated Silurian-Ordovician dolomitic input. The Lake Michigan watershed at Milwaukee County — Silurian Niagara Dolomite (dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Galena Dolomite (dolomitic), Devonian Detroit River Formation (calcareous), and Cambrian Jordan Sandstone (insoluble).
At 249.5 mg/L with TDS 803, Greendale's water is extremely hard. A water softener is strongly recommended to prevent rapid scale buildup and shortened appliance lifespans. The PFAS level of 6.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — General Mitchell Air Reserve Station (Milwaukee County — AFFF) and the Milwaukee metro industrial corridor contribute to Greendale's readings.
Geology & Source: Greendale in Milwaukee County draws from the Milwaukee Water Works on Lake Michigan (Milwaukee County, southeast Wisconsin) — Lake Michigan receives drainage from the Great Lakes Basin (Silurian Niagara Dolomite — dolomitic, Ordovician Galena Dolomite — dolomitic, Devonian Detroit River Formation — calcareous) — Wisconsin Milwaukee County Lake Michigan Great Lakes dolomitic-calcareous watershed produces extremely hard water at 249.5 mg/L with TDS 802.7 mg/L.