Franklin Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.9 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
440.6 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 Franklin Park, your appliances are currently losing 27% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Franklin Park | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -66% |
| Washing Machine | 6.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -49% |
| Water Heater | 7.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -50% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Franklin Park compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Franklin Park, Illinois | 203 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Northlake, Illinois | 254 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Melrose Park, Illinois | 279 mg/L | 9.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Norridge, Illinois | 232.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Bellwood, Illinois | 139 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Franklin Park compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Franklin Park | 203 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Franklin Park's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Franklin Park, Illinois, in Cook County — a Cook County village adjacent to Schiller Park and Bensenville, in the northwest Chicago suburb corridor adjacent to O'Hare International Airport — receives its municipal water from the Franklin Park Water Division or through Illinois American Water, drawing from Lake Michigan through the Chicago metropolitan distribution system.
The hard 203 mg/L hardness and TDS of 440.6 mg/L are harder than the central Chicago reading (Mount Greenwood: 168 mg/L) but in the same range as the northwest Cook County distribution zone. All Chicago-area communities receiving the Lake Michigan supply share the Silurian Niagara Dolomite carbonate platform drainage, with distribution zone variation producing the differences across communities. Franklin Park's harder reading may reflect local groundwater blending or distribution system characteristics in the northwest Cook-DuPage corridor.
At 203 mg/L, Franklin Park's water is hard — scale builds rapidly in appliances and plumbing. A water softener is recommended. The PFAS level of 7.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — O'Hare International Airport (major AFFF user — documented PFAS contamination in the adjacent Des Plaines River-Addison Creek watershed), the Cook County northwest industrial corridor, and the Chicago suburban PFAS complex contribute to Franklin Park's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Franklin Park in Cook County draws from the Franklin Park Water Division or Illinois American Water on Lake Michigan via the Chicago distribution system — 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 203 mg/L with TDS 441 mg/L in this Cook County Illinois village.