Chatham Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
14.3 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
600.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.65
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 Chatham, your appliances are currently losing 33% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Chatham | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -63% |
| Water Heater | 5.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -61% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Chatham compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Chatham, Illinois | 245.5 mg/L | 8.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Springfield, Illinois | 200.5 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Jacksonville, Illinois | 122 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Lincoln, Illinois | 132.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Decatur, Illinois | 147 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Chatham compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Chatham | 245.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Chatham's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Chatham, Illinois, in Sangamon County — a Sangamon County village adjacent to Springfield and Sherman on the Sangamon River in central Illinois — receives its water from the City of Chatham Water, drawing from the Sangamon River (Sangamon County) through the central Illinois distribution.
The very hard 245.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 600.1 mg/L reflect the central Illinois Sangamon County Sangamon River supply's very hard calcareous character — the Pennsylvanian Carbondale Formation and Mississippian Salem Limestone produce very hard calcareous water throughout the central Illinois Sangamon basin communities (compare Effingham IL: 207/454 on the Kaskaskia River comparable; Channahon IL: 152/280 in Will County softer; Chatham harder from the Sangamon County deeper calcareous draw). The Sangamon River at Sangamon County — Pennsylvanian Carbondale Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Mississippian Salem Limestone (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Sangamon alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 245.5 mg/L with TDS 600, Chatham's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended to prevent rapid scale buildup. A reverse osmosis system is advisable for drinking water. The PFAS level of 8.6 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Sangamon County central Illinois agricultural and industrial corridor contribute to Chatham's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Chatham in Sangamon County draws from the City of Chatham Water on the Sangamon River (Sangamon County, central Illinois) — the Sangamon River at Sangamon County drains the Illinois Interior Plains (Pennsylvanian Carbondale Formation — calcareous) and Mississippian Salem Limestone (calcareous) — Illinois Sangamon County Sangamon River Pennsylvanian-Mississippian calcareous supply produces very hard water at 245.5 mg/L with TDS 600.1 mg/L.