Algonquin Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.3 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
527.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.61
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 Algonquin, your appliances are currently losing 30% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Algonquin | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -75% |
| Washing Machine | 5.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -57% |
| Water Heater | 6.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -57% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Algonquin compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Algonquin, Illinois | 227 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Lake in the Hills, Illinois | 271.5 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Carpentersville, Illinois | 114.5 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Cary, Illinois | 119 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Crystal Lake, Illinois | 113 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Algonquin compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Algonquin | 227 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Algonquin's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Algonquin, Illinois, in McHenry County — a major northwest Chicago suburban Fox River community (Algonquin is a significant McHenry County village — a northwest Chicago suburb along the Fox River in the McHenry County Fox River Valley corridor; Algonquin is one of the rapidly growing McHenry County communities that expanded dramatically during the 1990s–2000s suburban boom, with significant new residential development along the IL-31 Fox River corridor), a diverse McHenry County community with a primarily working-class and middle-class suburban family population, adjacent to Lake in the Hills and Carpentersville in the Fox River Valley, home of the Fox River water trail and recreation corridor (one of the most popular paddling and recreational rivers in the Chicago metro), and one of the Fox River Valley's growing northwest Chicago suburban communities — draws its municipal water supply from the Niagaran Dolomite aquifer via the Village of Algonquin Water Division. Water hardness in Algonquin measures 227 mg/L — classified as very hard.
Algonquin's very hard supply reflects the McHenry County Silurian dolomite aquifer's highly calcareous character. The Niagaran Dolomite aquifer at Algonquin–McHenry County draws from the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly calcareous — the same Great Lakes Paleozoic Platform dolomite forming the Niagara Falls escarpment). Village of Algonquin applies limited softening, producing the very hard 227 mg/L.
At 227 mg/L, Algonquin residents face significant hard water challenges. Regular water softeners and descaling are strongly recommended. Village of Algonquin Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Illinois EPA and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Silurian Dolomite aquifer (Niagaran Dolomite) via the Village of Algonquin Water Division — the McHenry County northwest Chicago suburban Algonquin corridor (Silurian calcareous Niagaran Dolomite — the extremely calcareous northwest Chicago McHenry County dolomite aquifer; limited softening); very hard supply at 227 mg/L in McHenry County.