Dixon Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.6 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
317.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.44
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 Dixon, your appliances are currently losing 22% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Dixon | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -51% |
| Washing Machine | 7.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -38% |
| Water Heater | 9 yrs | 15 yrs | -40% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Dixon compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Dixon, Illinois | 165 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Sterling, Illinois | 116 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Freeport, Illinois | 210.5 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Rockford, Illinois | 160.5 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Loves Park, Illinois | 186.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Dixon compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Dixon | 165 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Dixon's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Dixon, Illinois, in Lee County — a Lee County city adjacent to Rock Falls and Sterling on the Rock River in northwest Illinois — receives its municipal water from the Dixon Water Division, drawing from the Rock River (Lee County) through the northwest Illinois water treatment system.
The hard 165 mg/L hardness and TDS of 317.4 mg/L reflect the northwest Illinois Rock River supply's moderate dolomitic and calcareous character — consistent with other Rock River communities (Rockford: ~170 mg/L; Rock Falls: ~160 mg/L). The Rock River at Lee County drains the Wisconsin Drift Plain — Silurian Niagara Dolomite (dolomite — primary TDS contributor), Ordovician Galena-Platteville Group (dolomite-calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and calcareous Pleistocene Wisconsin Till (glacially ground dolomite). The Silurian Niagara and Ordovician dolomite produce the hard northwest Illinois supply.
At 165 mg/L, Dixon'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 5.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Lee County northwest Illinois Rock River industrial corridor and the Illinois Rock River PFAS background from the Rockford metro industrial complex (the Rock River's primary PFAS loading zone upstream) contribute to Dixon's readings.
Geology & Source: Dixon in Lee County draws from the Dixon Water Division on the Rock River (Lee County, northwest Illinois) — the Rock River drains the Driftless Area and Wisconsin Drift Plain (Silurian Niagara Dolomite, Ordovician Galena-Platteville Group dolomite — highly calcareous-dolomitic) — Illinois Lee County Rock River Silurian-Ordovician dolomite watershed produces hard water at 165 mg/L with TDS 317.4 mg/L.