Godfrey Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.7 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
272.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
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 Godfrey, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Godfrey | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -45% |
| Washing Machine | 8.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -33% |
| Water Heater | 9.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -36% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Godfrey compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Godfrey, Illinois | 149.5 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Upper Alton, Illinois | 109 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Alton, Illinois | 215 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Old Jamestown, Missouri | 140.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Spanish Lake, Missouri | 118.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Godfrey compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Godfrey | 149.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Godfrey's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Godfrey, Illinois, in Madison County — a Madison County village adjacent to Alton and Jerseyville on the Mississippi River bluffs in southwestern Illinois, adjacent to Lewis and Clark Community College — receives its municipal water from the Godfrey Water Division or Illinois American Water, drawing from the Mississippi River at the Alton-Godfrey area intake (Madison County).
The moderately hard 149.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 272.6 mg/L reflect the upper Mississippi River supply's Midwest carbonate character — similar to other Mississippi corridor communities at this latitude (Hannibal MO: 157 mg/L; Quincy IL: 155 mg/L). The Mississippi River at Godfrey drains the Midwest carbonate platform — Silurian Niagara Dolomite (from the Illinois-Indiana corridor), Ordovician Galena Dolomite and Platteville Limestone (Iowa-Illinois), and the Missouri Ozarks carbonate drainage (Meramec-Missouri tributaries).
At 149.5 mg/L, Godfrey's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Madison County industrial corridor (one of Illinois' most industrial counties), the Alton chemical manufacturing legacy, and the upper Mississippi River PFAS background contribute to Godfrey's readings.
Geology & Source: Godfrey in Madison County draws from Illinois American Water on the Mississippi River (Madison County, southwestern Illinois) — the Mississippi drains the Midwest carbonate platform (Silurian Niagara Dolomite, Ordovician Galena Dolomite) — Illinois Madison County Mississippi River Midwest carbonate drainage produces moderately hard water at 149.5 mg/L with TDS 272.6 mg/L in this Madison County Illinois village.