Menomonie Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
742.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Menomonie, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Menomonie | 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 Menomonie compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Menomonie, Wisconsin | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Eau Claire, Wisconsin | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 23.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | groundwater |
| Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | groundwater |
| Red Wing, Minnesota | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| River Falls, Wisconsin | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Menomonie compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Menomonie | ≈ 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 Menomonie's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Menomonie Waterworks, operated by the City of Menomonie in Dunn County, Wisconsin, serves the city and surrounding areas with drinking water sourced exclusively from groundwater wells. The utility employs treatment methods including aeration, conventional filtration, pre-oxidation with chlorine, and disinfection using chlorine. Emergency contact is available 24/7 at 715-232-1283, with mailing address at City Clerk, 800 Wilson Ave, Menomonie, WI 54751. The system earned an A grade (99.8) for water quality-health in the 2024 Wisconsin Waterworks Excellence report.
The water supply originates in the broader St. Croix River watershed, with local groundwater influenced by glacial deposits and underlying Paleozoic bedrock including sandstones and limestones of the Cambrian Trempealeau Formation and Ordovician Prairie du Chien Group. These geological features impart a hard character through mineral dissolution, leading to elevated calcium and magnesium content. Nearby surface waters like Wilson Creek and Gilbert Creek near Menomonie exhibit similar mineral profiles reflective of the regional carbonate geology.
Hard water in this supply promotes scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Soap lathering is less effective, often requiring more detergent, and spots may appear on glassware and fixtures. Regular maintenance like deliming appliances, installing drain screens, and flushing water heaters is advised. A water softener is recommended to mitigate these effects and protect plumbing. Users should consult the latest Consumer Confidence Report on menomonie-wi.gov for full compliance details.
Geology & Source: Dunn County, Wisconsin; glacial drift aquifers overlying Cambrian Trempealeau Formation sandstones and Ordovician Prairie du Chien Group dolomite and limestone — carbonate dissolution yields hard water
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Menomonie's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Menomonie?
How does Menomonie compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Menomonie is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.