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Plover Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

8

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

266 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Plover, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn PloverSoft Water CityEfficiency 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 Plover compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Plover, Wisconsin≈ 120–179 mg/L13.4 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Stevens Point, Wisconsin≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Weston, Wisconsin81.5 mg/L166.8 ppt🟡 Moderately Hardgroundwater
Wausau, Wisconsin71 mg/L5 ppt🟡 Moderately Hardgroundwater

National Benchmark

How Plover compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Plover≈ 120–179 mg/L🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Plover's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 266 mg/LpH: 8

The Plover Waterworks, managed by the Village of Plover Water Department, draws its supply from three groundwater wells located across two sites. These wells tap into the local aquifer within the Central Wisconsin Upland region. Unlike communities relying on surface water, Plover doesn't utilize reservoirs or rivers; its water undergoes standard municipal processing for disinfection and contaminant control, rather than extensive treatment at a named facility. Residents can reach the utility at 715-345-5254 or bwiczek@ploverwi.gov for specific service inquiries.

The water's journey begins deep underground, drawing from the Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer system in central Wisconsin. This aquifer is characterized by ancient bedrock, including Cambrian sandstones like the Mount Simon Sandstone and Eau Claire Formation, as well as Ordovician dolomites and limestones belonging to the Prairie du Chien Group. These carbonate-rich geological layers, formed over eons and recharged by regional precipitation, are responsible for the water's naturally high mineral content and hard character.

Homeowners in Plover will likely notice the effects of this hard water, which can lead to scale buildup in appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, potentially shortening their lifespan and reducing efficiency. You might also find that soap doesn't lather as easily, requiring more detergent for cleaning. To combat these issues and protect your plumbing, regular appliance maintenance, such as deliming, is recommended, and installing a water softener is a common solution. While the Village of Plover Water Department monitors for specific contaminants, you can find the latest compliance details, including hardness levels, in their annual Consumer Confidence Report on ploverwi.gov.

Geology & Source: Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer system; Mount Simon Sandstone, Eau Claire Formation, Prairie du Chien Group dolomite and limestone impart significant hardness

Other Wisconsin Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Plover's water safe to drink?
Yes. Plover's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in Plover?
At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Plover's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.
How does Plover compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Plover (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Plover is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

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.

Measured

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.

Modelled

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.

Calculated

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.