Frankfort Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.7 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
433.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.54
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 Frankfort, your appliances are currently losing 27% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Frankfort | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -65% |
| Washing Machine | 6.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -48% |
| Water Heater | 7.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -49% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Frankfort compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Frankfort, Illinois | 201 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Mokena, Illinois | 137.5 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Tinley Park, Illinois | 204 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| New Lenox, Illinois | 213.5 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Orland Park, Illinois | 129 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Frankfort compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Frankfort | 201 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Frankfort's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Frankfort, Illinois, in Will County — a Will County village adjacent to Mokena and Tinley Park, in the south suburban Chicago corridor at the border of Will and Cook Counties — receives its municipal water from Illinois American Water or through the Will County municipal supply drawing from the Lake Michigan distribution system serving the south Chicago suburbs.
The hard 201 mg/L hardness and TDS of 433.2 mg/L are harder than the central Chicago Lake Michigan reading (Mount Greenwood: 168 mg/L, TDS 326), reflecting the Will County south suburban distribution zone's potentially longer residence time or blended groundwater contribution in the Frankfort area. Lake Michigan water at the Chicago intakes is moderately hard, but the southern distribution reaches of the Chicago-metro supply can be harder from extended pipe contact and local groundwater blending.
At 201 mg/L, Frankfort's water is hard — scale builds rapidly in appliances and plumbing. A water softener is recommended. Dishes spot heavily, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits quickly. The PFAS level of 7.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Will County industrial corridor (Joliet-Lockport industrial belt), the Channahon manufacturing complex, and the south Chicago metro Lake Michigan PFAS background contribute to Frankfort's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Frankfort in Will County draws from the Frankfort Water Division on Lake Michigan via the Illinois American Water Lake Michigan supply or Will County distribution (Cook County-Will County border) — Lake Michigan receives drainage from the Great Lakes basin (Silurian Niagara Dolomite, calcareous Pleistocene till) — Lake Michigan Silurian dolomite carbonate drainage produces hard water at 201 mg/L with TDS 433 mg/L in this Will County Illinois village.