Fairview Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.8 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
562.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.63
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 Fairview Heights, your appliances are currently losing 31% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Fairview Heights | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -79% |
| Washing Machine | 4.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -59% |
| Water Heater | 6.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -59% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Fairview Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fairview Heights, Illinois | 236 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Swansea, Illinois | 234 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Belleville, Illinois | 111.5 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| O'Fallon, Illinois | 239.5 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Collinsville, Illinois | 282 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Fairview Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fairview Heights | 236 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Fairview Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Fairview Heights, Illinois, in Saint Clair County — a Saint Clair County city adjacent to O'Fallon and Shiloh in the east St. Louis metro — receives its municipal water from Illinois American Water, drawing from the Mississippi River at the Caseyville treatment plant (Saint Clair County, southwest Illinois).
The very hard 236 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 562.4 mg/L reflect the lower Mississippi River's intense carbonate character at the Missouri-Illinois confluence. The Mississippi River at Saint Clair County accumulates drainage from the Missouri Ozarks — Ordovician Gasconade Dolomite (the dominant Ozark carbonate platform — very high purity dolomite), Mississippian Salem Limestone (high purity carbonate — major hardness source), and the calcareous Illinois Plain (Silurian Racine Dolomite, Ordovician Maquoketa Shale calcareous). The cumulative Ozark carbonate and Illinois calcareous drainage produces the very hard St. Louis metro river supply.
At 236 mg/L, Fairview Heights' water is very hard — scale builds rapidly in appliances and water heaters, and a water softener is strongly recommended. Monthly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 8.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Scott Air Force Base (Saint Clair County — the dominant southwest Illinois PFAS source, AFFF), the East St. Louis industrial corridor, and the Mississippi River PFAS legacy from upstream industrial discharges contribute to Fairview Heights' elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Fairview Heights in Saint Clair County draws from Illinois American Water on the Mississippi River (Saint Clair County) — the Mississippi drains the Missouri Ozarks (Ordovician Gasconade Dolomite, Mississippian Salem Limestone) — Illinois Saint Clair County Mississippi River Ozark carbonate watershed produces very hard water at 236 mg/L with TDS 562.4 mg/L.