Wausau Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.8 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
744.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.63
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 Wausau, your appliances are currently losing 32% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Wausau | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -79% |
| Washing Machine | 4.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -60% |
| Water Heater | 6.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -59% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Wausau compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Wausau, Wisconsin | 237 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Weston, Wisconsin | 81.5 mg/L | 2.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Stevens Point, Wisconsin | 167.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Plover, Wisconsin | 216.5 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin | 139 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Wausau compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Wausau | 237 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Wausau's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Wausau, Wisconsin, the Marathon County seat — a major central Wisconsin city on the Wisconsin River, home of Granite Peak (Rib Mountain — one of the oldest and largest exposed rock formations in the world at over 1.8 billion years, home of the Granite Peak ski area, one of Wisconsin's major ski destinations), the Wausau Pilot & Review, a major Marathon County manufacturing and healthcare community (Wausau is the headquarters of several major insurance companies — historically known as the 'Insurance City'), and a diverse central Wisconsin community — draws its municipal water supply from the Wisconsin River and sandstone wells via the City of Wausau Water Division. Water hardness in Wausau measures 237 mg/L — classified as very hard.
Wausau's very hard supply reflects the central Wisconsin Wisconsin River calcareous geology. The Wisconsin River at Wausau drains: the Cambrian sandstone sequence (Cambrian Elk Mound Group and Wonewoc Formation — calcareous-moderately cemented sandstone of central Wisconsin); the Precambrian Rib Mountain quartzite (calcareous-poor but the river accumulates hardness from calcareous sandstone cement); and the Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite (highly calcareous dolomite in the lower watershed). City of Wausau's water sources in the calcareous central Wisconsin sandstone produce the very hard 237 mg/L.
At 237 mg/L, Wausau residents face severe hard water challenges. Weekly descaling and appliance protection measures are strongly recommended. City of Wausau Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Wisconsin DNR and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Wisconsin River and groundwater from the sandstone aquifer via the City of Wausau Water Division — the Marathon County central Wisconsin Wisconsin River Valley (Cambrian calcareous sandstone and Precambrian calcareous-poor Rib Mountain quartzite — Marathon County geology; hard sandstone-dominated aquifer); very hard supply at 237 mg/L — reflecting the central Wisconsin Wisconsin River calcareous sandstone hardness.