Oak Creek 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
747.5 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 Oak Creek, your appliances are currently losing 32% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Oak Creek | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -79% |
| Washing Machine | 4.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -60% |
| Water Heater | 6.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -59% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Oak Creek compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Oak Creek, Wisconsin | 237.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| South Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 103 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Cudahy, Wisconsin | 247.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Caledonia, Wisconsin | 257 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Greendale, Wisconsin | 249.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Oak Creek compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Oak Creek | 237.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Oak Creek's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Oak Creek, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County — a major south Milwaukee County suburban community (Oak Creek is a significant south Milwaukee County community adjacent to South Milwaukee and Caledonia — a rapidly growing south Milwaukee County community along Lake Michigan), home of Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport industrial corridor (Oak Creek hosts major logistics and industrial operations adjacent to Mitchell Airport and I-94 in south Milwaukee County), a diverse Milwaukee County community with a significant Polish-American, German-American, and Hispanic-American population, and a south Milwaukee County community transitioning from rural farmland to suburban industrial and residential development — draws its municipal water supply via the City of Oak Creek Water Utility. Water hardness in Oak Creek measures 237.5 mg/L — classified as very hard.
Oak Creek's very hard supply reflects the south Milwaukee County Silurian Niagara Dolomite aquifer's highly calcareous character. The Niagaran Dolomite (Lockport Formation) at Oak Creek–south Milwaukee County (the same highly calcareous Waukesha County–Milwaukee County Silurian dolomite aquifer that supplies Menomonee Falls at 236.5 mg/L) produces the very hard 237.5 mg/L through deep dolomite well supply with limited softening in the City of Oak Creek system.
At 237.5 mg/L, Oak Creek residents face severe hard water challenges. Weekly descaling and appliance protection measures are strongly recommended. City of Oak Creek Water Utility consistently delivers water meeting all Wisconsin DNR and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Silurian Niagara Dolomite Aquifer (Lake Michigan shallow wells) and Lake Michigan supply via the City of Oak Creek Water Utility — the Milwaukee County south suburban corridor (Silurian Niagaran Dolomite — Lockport Formation — the highly calcareous south Milwaukee County–Lake Michigan shoreline dolomite; Oak Creek supply zone with some Lake Michigan blend); very hard supply at 237.5 mg/L in Milwaukee County.