Gages Lake Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.1 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
518.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.60
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 Gages Lake, your appliances are currently losing 30% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Gages Lake | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -74% |
| Washing Machine | 5.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -56% |
| Water Heater | 6.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -56% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Gages Lake compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gages Lake, Illinois | 224.5 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Grayslake, Illinois | 118 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Lindenhurst, Illinois | 146 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Libertyville, Illinois | 126.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Gurnee, Illinois | 146.5 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Gages Lake compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gages Lake | 224.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Gages Lake's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Gages Lake, Illinois, in Lake County — a Lake County unincorporated community adjacent to Waukegan and Gurnee in the north Chicago suburbs — receives its water from the Lake County Public Water District, drawing from Lake Michigan through the northeast Illinois distribution.
The very hard 224.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 518.7 mg/L reflect the Lake County supply's very hard character — while Lake Michigan water itself is moderately hard, the Lake County distribution infrastructure and local well blending along the northwest Lake County distribution corridor concentrate significantly higher hardness and TDS than the raw lake supply (compare Waukegan IL: 220/508 in Lake County comparable; Gurnee IL: 228/529 in Lake County comparable; Gages Lake consistent very hard from the same Lake County Lake Michigan Silurian supply). The Lake Michigan/Lake County supply — Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (slightly dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Devonian Detroit River Group (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Lake County glacial till (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 224.5 mg/L with TDS 519, Gages Lake's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. The PFAS level of 7.9 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review the Lake County Public Water District's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Gages Lake in Lake County draws from the Lake County Public Water on the Lake Michigan supply (Lake County, northeast Illinois) — Lake Michigan at Lake County draws from Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (slightly dolomitic) and Devonian Detroit River Group (calcareous) — Illinois Lake County Lake Michigan Silurian supply produces very hard water at 224.5 mg/L with TDS 518.7 mg/L.