How does Marinette's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Marinette (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Marinette Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.005 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

136 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Marinette, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Marinette	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Marinette compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Marinette, Wisconsin	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Suamico, Wisconsin	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Green Bay, Wisconsin	130 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Bellevue, Wisconsin	≈ 120–179 mg/L	3.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Howard, Wisconsin	≈ 180+ mg/L	5.5 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Marinette compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Marinette	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Marinette's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 136 mg/LpH: 8

The Marinette Municipal Water Utility draws its supply from the Menominee River, a vital waterway forming the border between Wisconsin and Michigan. Water treatment facilities operated by the utility process this river water to ensure it meets state and federal drinking water standards before it reaches Marinette residents. The utility's operations are crucial for providing safe and reliable water to the community.

The Marinette water supply is shaped by the region's geology, which features Precambrian crystalline bedrock covered by Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. Key among these are dolomite and limestone layers. As water flows through these carbonate-rich formations, it dissolves calcium and magnesium minerals, leading to the characteristic hardness of the supply. This geological makeup is common across much of Wisconsin.

Residents in Marinette will likely notice scale buildup on faucets and showerheads, and may find that soaps and detergents don't lather as easily. Appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines are particularly susceptible to mineral deposits, which can shorten their lifespan. To combat these effects, regular appliance descaling is advised. Many homeowners opt for installing water softeners to improve water quality and protect their plumbing and fixtures. For detailed water quality information, including hardness levels, consult the Marinette Water Utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.

Geology & Source: Menominee River watershed; Precambrian bedrock and Paleozoic dolomite/limestone formations contribute significant calcium and magnesium, resulting in hard water.

Other Wisconsin Water Reports

Suamico

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Green Bay

130 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Bellevue

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Howard

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Marinette's water safe to drink?

Yes. Marinette's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Marinette?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Marinette's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Marinette compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Marinette (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Marinette is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.