La Crosse Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.9 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
398.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
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 La Crosse, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In La Crosse | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -46% |
| Washing Machine | 8 yrs | 12 yrs | -33% |
| Water Heater | 9.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -37% |
Regional Water Comparison
How La Crosse compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ La Crosse, Wisconsin | 151.5 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| North La Crosse, Wisconsin | 210 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Onalaska, Wisconsin | 274.5 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Winona, Minnesota | 204 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Eau Claire, Wisconsin | 168.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How La Crosse compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ La Crosse | 151.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes La Crosse's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
La Crosse, Wisconsin, the La Crosse County seat on the Mississippi River at the Wisconsin–Minnesota–Iowa border junction — a major Upper Mississippi River port city, home of the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and Viterbo University, historically a major Mississippi River lumber and grain shipping hub, and the gateway to the Driftless Area's scenic bluffs — draws its municipal water supply from the Jordan–Mt. Simon Sandstone Aquifer and Prairie du Chien Dolomite via the City of La Crosse Water Utility. Water hardness in La Crosse measures 151.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
La Crosse's hard supply reflects the La Crosse County Driftless Area's calcareous Paleozoic geology. The La Crosse area groundwater is drawn from: the Cambrian Jordan Sandstone and Mt. Simon Sandstone (calcareous-cemented Cambrian sandstone of the Wisconsin Arch — some calcareous cement and calcareous formation water contact); the Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite (Oneota and New Richmond Formations — calcareous Ordovician dolomite of the Driftless Area sequence, contributing dissolved calcium and magnesium); and the Ordovician Galena–Platteville Dolomite (calcareous Ordovician dolomite — the prominent bluff-forming dolomite of the Mississippi Valley). The Driftless Area calcareous Paleozoic aquifer stack produces the hard 151.5 mg/L at La Crosse.
At 151.5 mg/L, La Crosse 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 La Crosse Water Utility consistently delivers water meeting all Wisconsin DNR and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Jordan–Mt. Simon Sandstone Aquifer and the Prairie du Chien Dolomite via the City of La Crosse Water Utility — the La Crosse County Mississippi River Valley (Ordovician–Cambrian calcareous sandstone and dolomite of the Driftless Area Jordan, Wonewoc, and Prairie du Chien Formations); moderately hard supply at 151.5 mg/L in La Crosse County.