Glen Carbon Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.6 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
264.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.39
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 Glen Carbon, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Glen Carbon | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -44% |
| Washing Machine | 8.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -32% |
| Water Heater | 9.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -35% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Glen Carbon compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Glen Carbon, Illinois | 146.5 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Edwardsville, Illinois | 206 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Collinsville, Illinois | 282 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Fairview Heights, Illinois | 236 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| O'Fallon, Illinois | 239.5 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Glen Carbon compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Glen Carbon | 146.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Glen Carbon home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Glen Carbon's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Glen Carbon, Illinois, in Madison County — a Madison County village adjacent to Edwardsville and Maryville in southwest Illinois — receives its water from the Illinois American Water, drawing from the Mississippi River (Madison County) through the southwest Illinois distribution.
The hard 146.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 264.2 mg/L reflect the southwest Illinois Madison County Mississippi River supply's hard calcareous character — the Mississippi at Madison County receives the Missouri and Illinois River calcareous contributions adding dolomitic hardness, consistent with the Madison County communities on the Mississippi River metro supply (compare Saint Ann MO: 100 mg/L; Shiloh IL: 155.5 mg/L on the same Madison-Saint Clair County supply network). The Mississippi River at Madison County — Ordovician Gasconade Dolomite (dolomitic — primary hardness contributor from Ozark drainage), Pennsylvanian calcareous shale (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Mississippi alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 146.5 mg/L with TDS 264, Glen Carbon's water is hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Madison County southwest Illinois industrial corridor contribute to Glen Carbon's readings.
Geology & Source: Glen Carbon in Madison County draws from the Illinois American Water on the Mississippi River (Madison County, southwest Illinois) — the Mississippi River at Madison County drains the Ozark Plateau (Ordovician Gasconade Dolomite — dolomitic) and Pennsylvanian calcareous shale (calcareous) — Illinois Madison County Mississippi River Ordovician-Pennsylvanian calcareous supply produces hard water at 146.5 mg/L with TDS 264.2 mg/L.