Dixon Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The City of Dixon Water Department supplies water to Dixon and nearby areas in Lee County, Illinois. Their supply is a mix, utilizing local groundwater wells treated at city facilities, alongside surface water purchased from the Webster County Water District. This district draws its supply from the Green River, a waterway within the larger Mississippi River basin. The Green River watershed traverses agricultural lands in northwest Illinois, resting on Paleozoic bedrock. This includes Ordovician limestones and dolomites, specifically formations like the Galena-Platteville Group, as well as local groundwater tapped from glacial drift and deeper Cambrian sandstones such as the Mount Simon Sandstone. These mineral-rich geological layers naturally dissolve calcium and magnesium, contributing to the water's hardness, a characteristic also picked up by the surface water from limestone drainage.

This moderately hard water can lead to scale buildup, particularly affecting water heaters, dishwashers, and faucets, which can decrease their efficiency and shorten their lifespan. You might notice laundry feeling stiff, and soap won't lather as readily. To manage this, regular descaling of appliances is a good practice, along with using vinegar to soak fixtures and checking the anodes in your water heater. For households looking to prevent spotting on dishes and extend the life of your plumbing, installing a water softener is a worthwhile consideration.

The Illinois EPA has determined that Dixon's source water is not susceptible to contamination and doesn't pose a vulnerability to viral issues. Standard municipal treatment involves filtration to remove particles and disinfection to eliminate pathogens. Recent reports indicate compliance with lead and copper regulations, and flushing taps is advised to minimize potential lead exposure. City data shows radium levels meeting EPA limits, though specific PFAS information wasn't found. Other parameters, including pH, align with established standards as noted in consumer confidence reports.