Bridgeview Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.9 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
503.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.59
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 Bridgeview, your appliances are currently losing 29% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Bridgeview | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -73% |
| Washing Machine | 5.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -55% |
| Water Heater | 6.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -55% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Bridgeview compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Bridgeview, Illinois | 220.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Burbank, Illinois | 250 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Hickory Hills, Illinois | 211.5 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Justice, Illinois | 197.5 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Chicago Ridge, Illinois | 173 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Bridgeview compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Bridgeview | 220.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Bridgeview's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Bridgeview, Illinois, in Cook County — a Cook County village adjacent to Oak Lawn and Chicago Ridge in the south-southwest Chicago metro — receives its municipal water from Illinois American Water or the Southwest Water Commission, drawing from Illinois American Water treatment on a river or deep aquifer source in the south Chicago metro (Cook County).
The very hard 220.5 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 503.6 mg/L are dramatically harder than the Chicago metropolitan Lake Michigan supplies (Chicago: ~120-140 mg/L), indicating Bridgeview's south Chicago supply draws from a different source — likely the Illinois Till Plain carbonate-influenced water. The Kankakee River drainage basin at south Cook County carries Silurian Niagara Dolomite (very high purity), Devonian Geneva Dolomite, and calcareous Pleistocene Lake Michigan Lobe till loading, producing the very hard south Chicago metro supply.
At 220.5 mg/L, Bridgeview's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended. Scale builds rapidly on heating surfaces and appliances, and water heaters require annual descaling without softening. The PFAS level of 7.7 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Cook County south Chicago industrial corridor (Cicero-Oak Lawn manufacturing), and the Chicago metro PFAS complex contribute to Bridgeview's readings.
Geology & Source: Bridgeview in Cook County draws from Illinois American Water on the Kankakee River (Cook County, south-southwest Chicago metro) — the Kankakee drains the Illinois Till Plain (Silurian Niagara Dolomite, Devonian Geneva Dolomite, calcareous Pleistocene Lake Michigan Lobe till) — Illinois Cook County Kankakee River Silurian-Devonian carbonate watershed produces very hard water at 220.5 mg/L with TDS 503.6 mg/L in this Cook County Illinois village.