Bensenville Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.4 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
258.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.39
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 Bensenville, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Bensenville | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -44% |
| Washing Machine | 8.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -31% |
| Water Heater | 9.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -35% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Bensenville compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Bensenville, Illinois | 144.5 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Wood Dale, Illinois | 252 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Addison, Illinois | 215.5 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Elmhurst, Illinois | 240.5 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Elk Grove Village, Illinois | 234.5 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Bensenville compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Bensenville | 144.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Bensenville's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Bensenville, Illinois, in DuPage County — a DuPage County village adjacent to Addison and Wood Dale, in the northwest Chicago suburb corridor adjacent to O'Hare International Airport — receives its municipal water from the Bensenville Water Division, drawing from Lake Michigan through the DuPage Water Commission (which purchases Lake Michigan water from the City of Chicago).
The moderately hard 144.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 258.5 mg/L are in the typical range for the north DuPage County Lake Michigan supply — between the central Chicago reading (Mount Greenwood: 168 mg/L) and the harder Lake County zone (Round Lake: 180.5 mg/L). All DuPage-Cook County communities receiving the Chicago Lake Michigan supply share the same Silurian Niagara Dolomite carbonate platform source, with distribution zone variation producing the differences across communities.
At 144.5 mg/L, Bensenville's 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 5.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — O'Hare International Airport (Chicago — major AFFF user with documented PFAS contamination in the adjacent Des Plaines River watershed), the DuPage County industrial corridor, and the northwest Chicago suburban PFAS complex contribute to Bensenville's readings.
Geology & Source: Bensenville in DuPage County draws from the Bensenville Water Division on Lake Michigan via the DuPage Water Commission — Lake Michigan receives drainage from the Great Lakes basin (Silurian Niagara Dolomite, calcareous Pleistocene till) — Lake Michigan Silurian dolomite carbonate drainage produces moderately hard water at 144.5 mg/L with TDS 259 mg/L in this DuPage County Illinois village.