Belmont Cragin Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.1 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
245.2 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 Belmont Cragin, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Belmont Cragin | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -41% |
| Washing Machine | 8.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -30% |
| Water Heater | 10 yrs | 15 yrs | -33% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Belmont Cragin compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Belmont Cragin, Illinois | 139.5 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Portage Park, Illinois | 241 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Irving Park, Illinois | 154 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Elmwood Park, Illinois | 243.5 mg/L | 8.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Oak Park, Illinois | 274 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Belmont Cragin compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Belmont Cragin | 139.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Belmont Cragin's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Belmont Cragin, Illinois — a dense, working-class Chicago neighborhood on the northwest side in Cook County, bounded by Belmont Avenue, Cicero, and Austin — receives its municipal water supply from the City of Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM), drawing Lake Michigan water treated at the Jardine Water Purification Plant (and formerly the Mayfair pump station network) distributed through the northwest Chicago city distribution infrastructure. Water hardness in Belmont Cragin measures 139.5 mg/L — classified as moderately hard, consistent with the northwest Chicago DWM distribution zone.
Belmont Cragin's moderately hard supply reflects the northwest Chicago DWM distribution network's characteristics from Lake Michigan source. The northwest Chicago neighborhood distribution system — a mix of aging cast-iron, ductile iron, and concrete mains built throughout the 20th century in the densely packed northwest side — accumulates mineral content from the treated Lake Michigan water through the distribution infrastructure. The 139.5 mg/L hardness in Belmont Cragin is within the range typical of Chicago proper DWM distribution zones (Chicago citywide hardness varies from approximately 100–170 mg/L depending on location and pipe vintage). The northwest side grid, serving the dense Belmont Cragin and nearby Portage Park neighborhoods, shows the moderate-to-hard range typical of Chicago's old industrial northwest residential grid.
At 139.5 mg/L, Belmont Cragin residents encounter moderate scale accumulation. Faucet aerators and showerheads develop deposits after several months — monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is practical. Chicago DWM consistently delivers water meeting all Illinois EPA and federal EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Lake supply from Lake Michigan via the City of Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM) northwest side distribution — the northwest Chicago distribution zone serving Belmont Cragin (between Addison Street and North Avenue, Cicero to Oak Park); moderately hard supply at 139.5 mg/L — consistent with the northwest Chicago direct DWM distribution zone.