Chicago Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.9 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
331.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.45
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 Chicago Heights, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Chicago Heights | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -53% |
| Washing Machine | 7.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -39% |
| Water Heater | 8.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -41% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Chicago Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Chicago Heights, Illinois | 169.5 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Park Forest, Illinois | 157.5 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Homewood, Illinois | 253.5 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Richton Park, Illinois | 129 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Matteson, Illinois | 248.5 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Chicago Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Chicago Heights | 169.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Chicago Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Chicago Heights, Illinois, in Cook County — a major south Chicago suburban and industrial city (Chicago Heights is a significant Cook County city — one of the classic south Chicago suburban industrial communities; Chicago Heights was a major early 20th century steel, iron, and manufacturing hub — a significant industrial city that attracted large waves of Eastern European immigrants (Czech, Slovak, Polish, Italian, and Mexican immigrant communities); Chicago Heights is the actual geographic center of Illinois Route 1 (Dixie Highway) — the historic north–south corridor that connected Chicago to Florida, making Chicago Heights an important early 20th century automotive travel hub)), a diverse Cook County community with a significant Mexican-American, African-American, and working-class population (Chicago Heights is one of the most ethnically diverse south suburban Chicago communities), adjacent to Sauk Village and Ford Heights in the south Cook County industrial corridor, and a community with significant industrial heritage — draws its municipal water supply from Lake Michigan via the Chicago Heights Water Division. Water hardness in Chicago Heights measures 169.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
Chicago Heights's hard supply reflects the south Cook County Lake Michigan distribution zone's limited softening. The Chicago Heights Water Division distributes Lake Michigan supply (sourced from the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite platform substrate, which contributes some hardness through aquifer recharge and distribution mains) with limited softening, producing the hard 169.5 mg/L.
At 169.5 mg/L, Chicago Heights residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling and water softeners are recommended. Chicago Heights Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Illinois EPA and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Lake supply from the Lake Michigan via the Chicago Heights Water Division — the Cook County south Chicago suburban Chicago Heights corridor (Silurian calcareous Niagaran Dolomite — the calcareous south Chicago Cook County Silurian Platform with Lake Michigan supply; limited softening); hard supply at 169.5 mg/L in Cook County.