Sussex Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.4 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
636.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.57
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 Sussex, your appliances are currently losing 28% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Sussex | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -69% |
| Washing Machine | 5.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -53% |
| Water Heater | 7.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -53% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Sussex compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sussex, Wisconsin | 212.5 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin | 236.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Waukesha, Wisconsin | 231.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Richfield, Wisconsin | 117.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Brookfield, Wisconsin | 212 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Sussex compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sussex | 212.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Sussex's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Sussex, Wisconsin, in Waukesha County — a Waukesha County village adjacent to Menomonee Falls and Pewaukee in the Milwaukee western suburbs — receives its water from the Village of Sussex Water Department, drawing from the Silurian Dolomite Aquifer through the southeast Wisconsin distribution.
The very hard 212.5 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 636.5 mg/L reflect the Waukesha County dolomite aquifer supply's very hard dolomitic character — the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite and Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite are highly dolomitic formations in the Wisconsin Dolomite Plateau, and Waukesha County well fields penetrate these formations to produce very hard, highly mineralized water that is among the hardest in Wisconsin (compare Menomonee Falls WI: 208/621 in Waukesha County comparable; Pewaukee WI: 216/651 in Waukesha County comparable; Sussex consistent very hard from the same Waukesha County Silurian Niagaran aquifer supply). The Waukesha County dolomite aquifer — Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite (highly dolomitic — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Waukesha County glacial till (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 212.5 mg/L with TDS 637, Sussex's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. The PFAS level of 5.7 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review the Village of Sussex's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Sussex in Waukesha County draws from the Sussex Water on the Silurian Dolomite Aquifer (Waukesha County, southeast Wisconsin) — the Waukesha County dolomite aquifer draws from Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic) and Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite (highly dolomitic) — Wisconsin Waukesha County Silurian Niagaran aquifer produces very hard water at 212.5 mg/L with TDS 636.5 mg/L.