Mequon Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.9 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
749.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.63
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 Mequon, your appliances are currently losing 32% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Mequon | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -80% |
| Washing Machine | 4.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -60% |
| Water Heater | 6.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -59% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Mequon compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Mequon, Wisconsin | 238 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Germantown, Wisconsin | 184.5 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin | 236.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Glendale, Wisconsin | 198.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin | 97 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Mequon compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Mequon | 238 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Mequon's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Mequon, Wisconsin, in Ozaukee County north of Milwaukee along Lake Michigan — one of Wisconsin's most prosperous communities, home to Concordia University Wisconsin and expansive lakefront estates — receives its municipal water from the City of Mequon Public Works Water Division, drawing from groundwater wells tapping the regional carbonate aquifer system beneath Ozaukee County. Like virtually all Ozaukee County communities, Mequon's water supply depends entirely on the prolific Wisconsin dolomite aquifer system rather than Lake Michigan surface water.
The very hard 238 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 749.2 mg/L reflect Ozaukee County's classic Wisconsin dolomite geology. Ozaukee County is underlain by the Silurian Niagara Dolomite — the same ancient reef-derived calcium-magnesium carbonate formation that produces very hard water throughout the Milwaukee metro north shore. This massive Silurian carbonate reef complex extends from the Michigan Basin across southeastern Wisconsin, producing consistently hard-to-very-hard groundwater wherever municipal wells access it. The deeper aquifer also taps Ordovician Galena Group and Prairie du Chien Group dolomites, which add further carbonate hardness to the Mequon supply.
At 238 mg/L, Mequon residents face very hard water as a daily reality for this prosperous lakefront suburb. Scale accumulates rapidly in kettles and coffee machines within weeks, dishwashers require water softener treatment for clean glassware, and bathroom glass and tile develop persistent calcium crust. Water heaters accumulate scale deposits that significantly reduce efficiency. Descaling appliances every four to six weeks is the practical schedule. A whole-house water softener is standard equipment in Ozaukee County homes — an essential rather than optional appliance for this level of Wisconsin dolomite hardness. The PFAS level of 6.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter for daily consumption.
Geology & Source: Mequon in Ozaukee County draws from the Silurian Niagara Dolomite aquifer — Ozaukee County is underlain by the classic Wisconsin Niagara Dolomite reef carbonate platform extending from the Michigan Basin — prolific dolomite dissolution produces very hard groundwater at 238 mg/L with high TDS of 749 mg/L characteristic of Milwaukee's north suburban Ozaukee corridor.