Cary Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
193.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.32
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 Cary, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Cary | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -33% |
| Washing Machine | 9.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -23% |
| Water Heater | 10.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -28% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Cary compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cary, Illinois | 119 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Algonquin, Illinois | 227 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Crystal Lake, Illinois | 113 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Carpentersville, Illinois | 114.5 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Lake in the Hills, Illinois | 271.5 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Cary compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cary | 119 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Cary's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Cary, Illinois, in McHenry County — a McHenry County village adjacent to Fox River Grove and Crystal Lake on the Fox River in the north Chicago suburbs — receives its municipal water from the Cary Water Division, drawing from the Fox River at the Cary intake in McHenry County.
The moderately hard 119 mg/L hardness and TDS of 193.5 mg/L reflect the Fox River's Silurian Niagara Dolomite carbonate drainage — similar to the Fox Valley communities further south (Batavia, Geneva, Aurora — all Fox River supply). The Fox River headwaters (northern McHenry County-Wisconsin border) drain the Wisconsin Silurian Niagara Dolomite platform and calcareous Pleistocene Woodfordian till, producing the moderately hard water characteristic of all Fox River corridor communities.
At 119 mg/L, Cary'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 4.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the McHenry County suburban development corridor, the Fox River industrial PFAS background, and the north Illinois PFAS complex contribute to Cary's readings.
Geology & Source: Cary in McHenry County draws from the Cary Water Division on the Fox River (McHenry County, northeast Illinois) — the Fox River drains the Wisconsin Silurian Niagara Dolomite platform (McHenry-Kane Counties) and calcareous Pleistocene Woodfordian till — Illinois Fox River Silurian dolomite carbonate drainage produces moderately hard water at 119 mg/L with TDS 193.5 mg/L in this McHenry County Illinois village.