Shorewood Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
14.4 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
789 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.66
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 Shorewood, your appliances are currently losing 33% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Shorewood | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -63% |
| Water Heater | 5.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -62% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Shorewood compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Shorewood, Wisconsin | 246.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin | 97 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 147 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Glendale, Wisconsin | 198.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | 240 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Shorewood compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Shorewood | 246.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Shorewood's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Shorewood, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County — a Milwaukee County village adjacent to Milwaukee and Whitefish Bay on the west shore of Lake Michigan — receives its water from the Milwaukee Water Works, drawing from local Silurian Niagaran Dolomite deep well aquifer (Milwaukee County) through the southeast Wisconsin distribution.
The very hard 246.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 789 mg/L reflect the southeast Wisconsin Milwaukee County supply's very hard dolomitic character — reflecting the Milwaukee area's primary reliance on the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite aquifer system (Lockport and Racine dolomite formations) that produces very hard water with elevated TDS from the deep dolomite aquifer's extensive residence time in the highly reactive carbonate rock. The Silurian Niagaran Dolomite aquifer at Milwaukee County — Silurian Lockport Dolomite (highly dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Silurian Racine Formation (dolomitic — secondary contributor), and Ordovician Galena Dolomite (dolomitic — tertiary contributor from deep zones).
At 246.5 mg/L with TDS 789, Shorewood's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended to prevent rapid scale buildup. A reverse osmosis system is advisable for drinking water. The PFAS level of 6.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Milwaukee County southeast Wisconsin industrial corridor contribute to Shorewood's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Shorewood in Milwaukee County draws from the Milwaukee Water Works on the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite deep well aquifer (Milwaukee County, southeast Wisconsin) — the Niagaran Dolomite at Milwaukee County is developed in highly dolomitic Silurian Lockport Dolomite (dolomitic) and Silurian Racine Formation (dolomitic) — Wisconsin Milwaukee County Silurian Niagaran dolomitic aquifer produces very hard water at 246.5 mg/L with TDS 789 mg/L.