Oshkosh Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
332 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 Oshkosh, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Oshkosh | 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 Oshkosh compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Oshkosh, Wisconsin | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Neenah, Wisconsin | 160 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Menasha, Wisconsin | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Appleton, Wisconsin | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Fond du Lac, Wisconsin | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Oshkosh compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Oshkosh | ≈ 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 Oshkosh's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The City of Oshkosh Water Utility serves the Winnebago County area in east-central Wisconsin, drawing from two surface water sources: the Fox River and Lake Winnebago. The utility operates treatment facilities for the city's public water system. According to the 2024 Water Utility Report Card, the system achieved a water quality-health grade of A (99.7), indicating strong compliance and safety standards.
The Fox River and Lake Winnebago watersheds flow through glaciated terrain underlain by Silurian and Ordovician dolomite and limestone formations. These carbonate rock layers dissolve readily in water, releasing calcium and magnesium ions that create the region's characteristically hard water supply. Passage through the mineral-rich Fox River valley and its connection to Lake Winnebago means the water chemistry is shaped by these formations, resulting in elevated hardness levels typical of the region.
Oshkosh's water is classified as hard, with typical measurements of 14–18 grains per gallon. Scale buildup accumulates in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing soap and detergent efficiency and leaving visible deposits on fixtures. Many homeowners install water softeners to mitigate these effects and extend appliance lifespan. The City of Oshkosh Water Utility monitors PFAS compounds under EPA UCMR 5; background testing at the Fox River Main Street Bridge detected 0.856 ppt PFOS and 0.831 ppt PFOA — both well below Wisconsin's recommended drinking water standard of 70 ppt combined. The utility publishes annual consumer confidence reports documenting compliance with all federal and state drinking water standards.
Geology & Source: Fox River and Lake Winnebago, glaciated eastern Wisconsin; Silurian and Ordovician dolomite and limestone formations dissolve readily — calcium and magnesium ions elevated by carbonate bedrock drainage; characteristically hard supply
Other Wisconsin Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oshkosh's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Oshkosh?
How does Oshkosh compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Oshkosh 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.