Hardness
Moderately Hard
75.5 PPM · 4.4 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Superior, WI 54874
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Douglas County.
3 active health-based violations
- Primary matched system
- Superior Water Light & Power Company
- Source water
- Surface water + Groundwater
- County
- Douglas County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
3 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.0056 mg/L
37% of action level
Utility match
2 systems
Serves 26,084 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
75.5 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
75.5
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
4.4
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 75.5 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
12
Nearest site
13.2 mi
Observation range
Feb 1, 2016–Apr 27, 2022
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: St. Louis R at Pokegama Bay nr Superior, WI (Lake, Reservoir, Impoundment).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 54874 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Superior median
76 PPM
About the same2 indexed ZIP readings · Range 75.5–75.5 PPM
Wisconsin median
288 PPM
212 PPM lower556 indexed ZIP readings · Range 41.3–467 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass
Lead (PB90)
0.0056 mg/L
Reported Sep 30, 2023
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
1 comparable result
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0056
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 72
- Health-based
- 8
- Active health-based
- 3
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groundwater Rule | WI8160145 | Unaddressed | Mar 21, 2026 |
| E. COLI | WI8160145 | Unaddressed | Jan 14, 2026 |
| E. COLI | WI8160145 | Unaddressed | Dec 24, 2025 |
| E. COLI | WI8160145 | Unaddressed | Dec 10, 2025 |
| E. COLI | WI8160145 | Unaddressed | Oct 15, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | WI8160145 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | WI8160145 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | WI8160145 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper RuleHealth-based | WI8160145 | Unaddressed | Mar 26, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WI8160145 | Unaddressed | Mar 26, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WI8160145 | Unaddressed | Mar 1, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WI8160145 | Unaddressed | Feb 10, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | WI8160145 | Resolved | Feb 10, 2025through Feb 12, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WI8160145 | Unaddressed | Feb 10, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform RuleHealth-based | WI8160145 | Resolved | Feb 10, 2025through Feb 12, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WI8160145 | Unaddressed | Jan 16, 2025 |
| E. COLI | WI8160145 | Unaddressed | Jan 16, 2025 |
| Nitrate | WI8160145 | Archived | Jan 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| TTHM | WI8160145 | Archived | Jan 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WI8160145 | Unaddressed | Jan 1, 2025 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Superior ZIP 54874 using 75.5 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Lead and Copper Rule has a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
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Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in Superior
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Superior
Is tap water safe in Superior?+
EPA ECHO reports 3 active health-based violations among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 75.5 PPM, or 4.4 grains per gallon, classified as moderately hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm with a tap test before buying equipment.