Kaukauna Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.9 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
233.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.27
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 Kaukauna, your appliances are currently losing 13% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Kaukauna | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -26% |
| Washing Machine | 9.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -17% |
| Water Heater | 11.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -23% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Kaukauna compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kaukauna, Wisconsin | 100.5 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Appleton, Wisconsin | 198.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Menasha, Wisconsin | 233.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Neenah, Wisconsin | 160 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| De Pere, Wisconsin | 273 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Kaukauna compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kaukauna | 100.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Kaukauna's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Kaukauna, Wisconsin, in Outagamie County — an Outagamie County city adjacent to Appleton and Little Chute on the Fox River in the Fox River Valley of east Wisconsin — receives its municipal water from the Kaukauna Water Division, drawing from the Fox River or local groundwater wells (Outagamie County, Fox River Valley) through the Kaukauna treatment system.
The moderately hard 100.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 233.5 mg/L are softer than the deep Wisconsin Silurian Dolomite aquifer communities (Oconomowoc: 258.5 mg/L; Menomonie: 236.5 mg/L), reflecting the Fox River Valley's shallower glacial drift aquifer character rather than the full deep Niagara Dolomite aquifer depth. The Fox River-Outagamie watershed drains the Wisconsin Till Plain — Silurian Niagara Dolomite (the dominant east Wisconsin carbonate platform), Devonian Hamilton Shale (minor calcareous), and calcareous Pleistocene Green Bay Lobe till (glacially ground dolomite). The shallower till aquifer above the full Niagara bedrock produces the moderately hard Fox River Valley supply.
At 100.5 mg/L, Kaukauna's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 3.1 ppt is low — the Outagamie County Fox River Valley paper manufacturing corridor (historically PFAS-associated with paper industry — PFOS/PFOA) has lower readings than expected, and the Fox River headwaters are relatively clean.
Geology & Source: Kaukauna in Outagamie County draws from the Kaukauna Water Division on the Fox River or local wells (Outagamie County, east Wisconsin) — the Fox River-Outagamie watershed drains the Wisconsin Till Plain (Silurian Niagara Dolomite, Devonian Hamilton shale, calcareous Pleistocene Green Bay Lobe till) — Wisconsin Outagamie County Fox River carbonate watershed produces moderately hard water at 100.5 mg/L with TDS 233.5 mg/L in this Outagamie County Wisconsin city.