Sussex Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
17.5 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
964 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.80
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 Sussex, your appliances are currently losing 40% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Sussex | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3 yrs | 12 yrs | -75% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Sussex compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sussex, Wisconsin | 300 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Waukesha, Wisconsin | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Richfield, Wisconsin | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Brookfield, Wisconsin | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 47.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Sussex compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sussex | 300 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Sussex's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The Village of Sussex, Wisconsin, provides water to roughly 10,961 residents in the village and nearby Milwaukee County. This utility relies solely on groundwater, drawing from deep wells that tap into the Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer system. The Village of Sussex's main office is located at N64 W23760 Main Street, Sussex, WI 53089, and they can be reached at 262-246-5200. Their water supply originates from geological formations common to southeastern Wisconsin's underground.
The water originates from the Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer, composed mainly of Ordovician-age dolomite and limestone from the Platteville and Galena Groups, with Cambrian sandstone above. As rainwater seeps through these mineral-rich carbonate rock layers, it dissolves significant amounts of calcium and magnesium. This geological makeup is the reason for the very hard water quality found throughout the region, including Sussex's supply, which reflects the mineral content of both the Driftless Area and the glaciated parts of Wisconsin.
With water this hard, Sussex residents often notice substantial scale buildup inside water heaters, kettles, and pipes. You'll also find that soaps and detergents don't lather as well. Appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters are especially susceptible to damage from mineral deposits, which can shorten their lifespan. To combat these issues and help your appliances last longer, the utility suggests considering whole-house or point-of-use water softening systems. Keeping up with appliance maintenance and occasionally descaling them is also recommended.
Geology & Source: Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer; Ordovician dolomite and limestone (Platteville and Galena Groups) are soluble carbonate rocks, leading to high calcium and magnesium content and very hard water.
Other Wisconsin Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sussex's water safe to drink?
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How does Sussex compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Sussex 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.