Wisconsin Rapids Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.1 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
355.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.37
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 Wisconsin Rapids, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Wisconsin Rapids | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -41% |
| Washing Machine | 8.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -29% |
| Water Heater | 10 yrs | 15 yrs | -33% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Wisconsin Rapids compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin | 139 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟠 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 |
| Marshfield, Wisconsin | 185 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Weston, Wisconsin | 81.5 mg/L | 2.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Wisconsin Rapids compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Wisconsin Rapids | 139 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Wisconsin Rapids's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, in Wood County — the Wood County seat adjacent to Port Edwards and Nekoosa on the Wisconsin River in central Wisconsin, a major paper-manufacturing city — receives its municipal water from the Wisconsin Rapids Water Division, drawing from deep wells accessing the Cambrian Jordan Sandstone or Ordovician Prairie du Chien Group dolomite aquifer beneath Wood County.
The moderately hard 139 mg/L hardness and TDS of 355.1 mg/L reflect the central Wisconsin Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer's carbonate character — softer than the southeast Wisconsin Silurian Niagara Dolomite aquifer (Milwaukee County: 250+ mg/L) but notably harder than surface water supplies. The Cambrian Jordan Sandstone (fine-grained calcareous sand — significant calcium-magnesium dissolution) and the Ordovician Prairie du Chien Group (dolomite platform — primary carbonate contributor) produce the moderately hard water characteristic of central Wisconsin groundwater supplies.
At 139 mg/L, Wisconsin Rapids' water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Wood County paper mill industrial complex (Wisconsin Rapids' extensive paper industry PFAS legacy), and the central Wisconsin PFAS background contribute to Wisconsin Rapids' readings.
Geology & Source: Wisconsin Rapids in Wood County draws from the Wisconsin Rapids Water Division on Wood County wells (Cambrian Jordan Sandstone or Ordovician Prairie du Chien dolomite aquifer, central Wisconsin) — the central Wisconsin Cambrian sandstone-dolomite aquifer produces moderately hard groundwater at 139 mg/L with TDS 355.1 mg/L in this Wood County Wisconsin city.