Chicago Ridge Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.1 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
341.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.46
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 Ridge, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Chicago Ridge | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -54% |
| Washing Machine | 7.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -40% |
| Water Heater | 8.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -42% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Chicago Ridge compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Chicago Ridge, Illinois | 173 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Oak Lawn, Illinois | 273 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Burbank, Illinois | 250 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Palos Heights, Illinois | 152 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Palos Hills, Illinois | 152.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Chicago Ridge compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Chicago Ridge | 173 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 Ridge's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Chicago Ridge, Illinois, in Cook County — a Cook County village adjacent to Oak Lawn and Evergreen Park in the south Cook County Chicago metro — receives its water from Illinois American Water or the Chicago Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, drawing from Lake Michigan (Cook County) through the south Chicago metro distribution.
The hard 173 mg/L hardness and TDS of 341.9 mg/L reflect the northeast Illinois Chicago Lake Michigan supply's hard Silurian-Ordovician dolomitic character — consistent with other Cook County Lake Michigan Chicago metro communities (Oak Lawn: ~171 mg/L; Evergreen Park: ~172 mg/L). The Lake Michigan watershed at Cook County — Silurian Niagara Dolomite (dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Galena Dolomite (dolomitic), Devonian Detroit River Formation (calcareous), and Cambrian St. Croix Formation (slightly calcareous).
At 173 mg/L, Chicago Ridge's water is hard — scale builds steadily in kettles and appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and water heaters should be descaled annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 6.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — O'Hare International Airport (Cook County — AFFF) and the south Cook County Chicago industrial corridor contribute to Chicago Ridge's readings.
Geology & Source: Chicago Ridge in Cook County draws from the Illinois American Water or Chicago water on Lake Michigan (Cook County, northeast Illinois) — Lake Michigan receives drainage from the Great Lakes Basin (Silurian Niagara Dolomite — dolomitic, Ordovician Galena Dolomite — dolomitic) — Illinois Cook County Lake Michigan Great Lakes dolomitic watershed produces hard water at 173 mg/L with TDS 341.9 mg/L.