Whitefish Bay Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.7 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
223.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.26
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 Whitefish Bay, your appliances are currently losing 13% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Whitefish Bay | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -25% |
| Washing Machine | 10 yrs | 12 yrs | -17% |
| Water Heater | 11.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -22% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Whitefish Bay compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin | 97 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Shorewood, Wisconsin | 246.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Glendale, Wisconsin | 198.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 147 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | 240 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Whitefish Bay compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Whitefish Bay | 97 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Whitefish Bay's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County — a Milwaukee County village adjacent to Fox Point and Shorewood on the north Milwaukee lakefront — receives its water from the Milwaukee Water Works, drawing from Lake Michigan (Milwaukee County) through the north Milwaukee lakefront distribution.
The moderately hard 97 mg/L hardness and TDS of 223.5 mg/L reflect the southeast Wisconsin Milwaukee County Lake Michigan supply's moderate dolomitic character — consistent with other Milwaukee lakefront communities (Shorewood: ~96 mg/L; Fox Point: ~97 mg/L). The Lake Michigan at Milwaukee draws — Precambrian Canadian Shield (insoluble — dilutant via upper Great Lakes), Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), and Ordovician calcareous formations (calcareous — secondary contributor).
At 97 mg/L, Whitefish Bay's water is moderately hard — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 3.1 ppt is low — the Milwaukee County southeast Wisconsin lakefront corridor has limited adjacent AFFF military PFAS sources relative to the inland industrial communities.
Geology & Source: Whitefish Bay in Milwaukee County draws from the Milwaukee Water Works on Lake Michigan (Milwaukee County, southeast Wisconsin) — Lake Michigan at Milwaukee draws from Pleistocene glacial outwash blended with Silurian Niagaran Dolomite dissolution — Wisconsin Milwaukee County Lake Michigan Silurian dolomitic watershed produces moderately hard water at 97 mg/L with TDS 223.5 mg/L.