How does River Falls's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. River Falls (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

River Falls Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.7

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.003 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

137 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 River Falls, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In River Falls	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 River Falls compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ River Falls, Wisconsin	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Hudson, Wisconsin	≈ 180+ mg/L	106.5 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Hastings, Minnesota	≈ 180+ mg/L	1836.6 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Stillwater, Minnesota	≈ 180+ mg/L	1534 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Red Wing, Minnesota	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How River Falls compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ River Falls	≈ 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 River Falls's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 137 mg/LpH: 7.7

River Falls Waterworks is the municipal utility responsible for supplying the City of River Falls in Pierce County, Wisconsin. This utility draws its entire water supply from groundwater wells, bypassing the need for surface water intakes. While the city is situated along the Kinnickinnic River, River Falls Waterworks does not utilize this or any other surface water source. The drinking water undergoes minimal treatment, primarily disinfection with chlorine, with no advanced processes like filtration or softening employed by the utility. Residents in this college town receive their water from this groundwater system, which serves homes, businesses, and institutions within the city and potentially surrounding areas.

The water originates from deep within the earth, tapping into Cambrian-age sandstones such as the Mount Simon and Eau Claire formations. These are often interbedded with dolomitic limestones from the Prairie du Chien Group. The prolonged interaction of groundwater with these sedimentary rock layers, particularly limestone and dolomite, leads to the natural dissolution of minerals like calcium and magnesium. This geological process, influenced by the karst-influenced aquifer dynamics and consistent groundwater movement within the unglaciated Driftless Area, is the reason for the water's characteristically hard nature.

Homeowners in River Falls will likely notice the effects of this hard water on their appliances and plumbing. Scale buildup, primarily from calcium deposits, can significantly reduce the efficiency and lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, coffee makers, and washing machines. You might also find faucets and showerheads becoming clogged, leading to reduced water flow. To combat these issues, regular descaling of appliances with vinegar is recommended, along with considering scale-inhibiting filters. Many residents find that installing a whole-house water softener is the most effective solution to mitigate these problems and protect their household equipment.

Geology & Source: Pierce County sandstone and dolomite; Cambrian-Ordovician formations, Mount Simon Sandstone, Prairie du Chien Group; mineral dissolution creates high hardness

Other Wisconsin Water Reports

Hudson

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Hastings

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Stillwater

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Red Wing

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

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All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is River Falls's water safe to drink?

Yes. River Falls'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 River Falls?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), River Falls'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 River Falls compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. River Falls (≈ 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 River Falls 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

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.