Crestwood Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.1 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
159.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.28
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 Crestwood, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Crestwood | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -27% |
| Washing Machine | 9.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -19% |
| Water Heater | 11.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -24% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Crestwood compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Crestwood, Illinois | 104.5 mg/L | 3.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Alsip, Illinois | 236 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Midlothian, Illinois | 116.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Oak Forest, Illinois | 267.5 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Palos Heights, Illinois | 152 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Crestwood compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Crestwood | 104.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Crestwood's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Crestwood, Illinois, in Cook County — a Cook County village adjacent to Alsip and Midlothian in the south Chicago suburbs — receives its water from the Village of Crestwood or Illinois American Water, drawing from Lake Michigan through the northeast Illinois distribution.
The moderately hard 104.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 159.9 mg/L reflect the Cook County Lake Michigan supply's moderate character — the Precambrian Superior Province granite provides insoluble dilution, while Quaternary Lake Michigan glacial outwash contributes moderate calcareous mineral content from its glacially-deposited calcareous till (compare Alsip IL: 102/155 in Cook County comparable; Midlothian IL: 106/163 in Cook County comparable; Crestwood consistent moderate from the same Cook County Lake Michigan Precambrian glacial supply). The Lake Michigan supply — Precambrian Superior Province granite (insoluble — primary dilutant), Quaternary Lake Michigan glacial outwash (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Cook County glacial till (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 104.5 mg/L with TDS 160, Crestwood's water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 3.8 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review the Village of Crestwood's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Crestwood in Cook County draws from the Crestwood Water on the Lake Michigan supply (Cook County, northeast Illinois) — Lake Michigan at Cook County draws from Precambrian Superior Province granite (insoluble) and Quaternary Lake Michigan glacial outwash (slightly calcareous) — Illinois Cook County Lake Michigan Precambrian glacial supply produces moderately hard water at 104.5 mg/L with TDS 159.9 mg/L.