River Falls Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.5 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
321.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.34
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 River Falls, your appliances are currently losing 17% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In River Falls | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -38% |
| Washing Machine | 8.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -27% |
| Water Heater | 10.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -31% |
Regional Water Comparison
How River Falls compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ River Falls, Wisconsin | 129 mg/L | 3.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Hudson, Wisconsin | 206 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Hastings, Minnesota | 167.5 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Stillwater, Minnesota | 272 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Red Wing, Minnesota | 198.5 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How River Falls compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ River Falls | 129 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes River Falls's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
River Falls, Wisconsin, in Pierce County — a Pierce County city adjacent to Hudson and Ellsworth on the Kinnickinnic River in the Driftless Area of west Wisconsin near the Minnesota border — receives its municipal water from the River Falls Water Division, drawing from the Kinnickinnic River watershed and Driftless Area groundwater (Pierce County) through the west Wisconsin water treatment system.
The moderately hard 129 mg/L hardness and TDS of 321.9 mg/L reflect the west Wisconsin Driftless Area dolomite supply's moderate calcareous character — consistent with other Driftless Area Wisconsin communities (Viroqua: ~135 mg/L; Richland Center: ~130 mg/L). The Kinnickinnic River (Pierce County) drains the Wisconsin Driftless Area — Ordovician Oneota Dolomite (calcareous dolomite — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Prairie du Chien Group (dolomite), and Cambrian Jordan Sandstone (slightly calcareous). The Ordovician dolomite exposure of the Wisconsin Driftless Area produces the moderately hard west Wisconsin supply.
At 129 mg/L, River Falls' water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 3.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Pierce County west Wisconsin Driftless Area agricultural corridor and the Minnesota-Wisconsin border industrial PFAS background from the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro contribute to River Falls' readings.
Geology & Source: River Falls in Pierce County draws from the River Falls Water Division on the Kinnickinnic River groundwater (Pierce County, west Wisconsin) — the Kinnickinnic drains the Driftless Area (Ordovician Oneota Dolomite, Cambrian Jordan Sandstone — dolomitic calcareous) — Wisconsin Pierce County Kinnickinnic Driftless Area dolomite produces moderately hard water at 129 mg/L with TDS 321.9 mg/L.