Wausau Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The City of Wausau Water Utility serves approximately 40,000 residents in Marathon County, Wisconsin, primarily within the city limits and adjacent areas. Water is sourced from the Wisconsin River at the Wausau intake and treated at the East Side Water Treatment Plant and the West Side Water Treatment Plant. These facilities process river water through conventional treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination for disinfection, with annual Consumer Confidence Reports confirming compliance with all regulated contaminants.

The Wisconsin River watershed spans north-central Wisconsin, draining glaciated terrain where Precambrian bedrock in the north transitions to Paleozoic sandstones and limestones southward. Surface water from the river reflects dilution across diverse geology, including Cambrian-Ordovician aquifers with moderate mineral leaching. Glacial till and outwash influence runoff chemistry, and limited carbonate dissolution in this Precambrian-influenced upper basin produces a soft supply with low dissolved solids.

As one of the softest supplies in Wisconsin, Wausau water causes no scale buildup or mineral staining on fixtures, appliances, or plumbing. Water heaters, dishwashers, and laundry machines are unaffected, and soap lathers easily with no extra detergent needed. No water softener is required or recommended, avoiding sodium addition and associated maintenance costs. pH is typically around 7.5–8.0, fully compliant with EPA standards; no notable PFAS detections have been reported, with seasonal turbidity and organic matter from the river as the primary concerns.