Menasha Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.6 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
729.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.62
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 Menasha, your appliances are currently losing 31% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Menasha | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -78% |
| Washing Machine | 5 yrs | 12 yrs | -58% |
| Water Heater | 6.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -58% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Menasha compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Menasha, Wisconsin | 233.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Neenah, Wisconsin | 160 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Appleton, Wisconsin | 198.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Kaukauna, Wisconsin | 100.5 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Oshkosh, Wisconsin | 85 mg/L | 2.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Menasha compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Menasha | 233.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Menasha's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Menasha, Wisconsin, in Winnebago County — a Winnebago County city adjacent to Neenah and Appleton on Lake Winnebago in east-central Wisconsin, a historic Fox River paper-manufacturing city — receives its municipal water from Menasha Utilities, drawing from deep wells accessing the Silurian Niagara Dolomite and Ordovician Prairie du Chien dolomite aquifer beneath Winnebago County.
The very hard 233.5 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 729.3 mg/L reflect the east-central Wisconsin Silurian-Ordovician dolomite aquifer's intense carbonate character — significantly harder than the Wisconsin Rapids central Wisconsin supply (139 mg/L, Cambrian-Ordovician). The Silurian Niagara Dolomite (the dominant east Wisconsin carbonate platform — exposed at Niagara Falls) and Ordovician Prairie du Chien Group dolomite (the primary Midwest carbonate aquifer) together produce the characteristically very hard water of the Lake Winnebago basin communities.
At 233.5 mg/L with TDS 729, Menasha's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended. Scale builds rapidly on all heating surfaces, appliance lifespans are significantly shortened, and water heaters require annual descaling without softening. The PFAS level of 6.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Winnebago County paper mill industrial complex (Fox River-Lake Winnebago paper industry PFAS legacy), and the east Wisconsin PFAS background contribute to Menasha's readings.
Geology & Source: Menasha in Winnebago County draws from Menasha Utilities on Lake Winnebago wells (Winnebago County, east-central Wisconsin) — the Lake Winnebago aquifer is developed in Silurian Niagara Dolomite and Ordovician Prairie du Chien dolomite beneath Winnebago County — Wisconsin Lake Winnebago basin Silurian-Ordovician dolomite aquifer produces very hard water at 233.5 mg/L with high TDS 729.3 mg/L in this Winnebago County Wisconsin city.