Beach Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.3 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
209.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.33
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 Beach Park, your appliances are currently losing 17% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Beach Park | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -35% |
| Washing Machine | 9 yrs | 12 yrs | -25% |
| Water Heater | 10.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -29% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Beach Park compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Beach Park, Illinois | 125.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Zion, Illinois | 279.5 mg/L | 9.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Waukegan, Illinois | 163 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Gurnee, Illinois | 146.5 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| North Chicago, Illinois | 237 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Beach Park compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Beach Park | 125.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Beach Park's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Beach Park, Illinois, in Lake County — a Lake County village adjacent to Waukegan and Zion on the north Lake County Lake Michigan shoreline — receives its water from the North Shore Water Commission or Illinois American Water, drawing from Lake Michigan (Lake County) through the north Lake County distribution.
The moderately hard 125.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 209.4 mg/L are slightly softer than Cook County Lake Michigan communities (Forest Park: 182 mg/L) — reflecting the north Lake County position drawing from the less mineralized upper Lake Michigan zone compared to the Chicago south lakefront supply. The Lake Michigan at Lake County blends — Precambrian Canadian Shield (insoluble — dilutant), Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), and Ordovician calcareous formations (calcareous — secondary contributor).
At 125.5 mg/L, Beach Park's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Waukegan National Airport (Lake County — AFFF) and the north Lake County industrial corridor contribute to Beach Park's readings.
Geology & Source: Beach Park in Lake County draws from the North Shore Water Commission or Illinois American Water on Lake Michigan (Lake County, northeast Illinois) — Lake Michigan at Lake County draws from Silurian Niagaran Dolomite dissolution blended with Precambrian Laurentian Shield — Illinois Lake County Lake Michigan Silurian dolomitic supply produces moderately hard water at 125.5 mg/L with TDS 209.4 mg/L.