Gurnee Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.6 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.9
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 Gurnee, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Gurnee | 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 Gurnee compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gurnee, Illinois | 146.5 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Waukegan, Illinois | 163 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Beach Park, Illinois | 125.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| North Chicago, Illinois | 237 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Libertyville, Illinois | 126.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Gurnee compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gurnee | 146.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Gurnee's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Gurnee, Illinois, in Lake County — a major north Chicago suburban entertainment community (Gurnee is a significant Lake County village famous as the home of Six Flags Great America (one of the largest and most popular theme parks in the Midwest — the Six Flags regional park that serves the Chicago–Milwaukee metro, home of some of the most notable roller coasters in the Midwest) and Gurnee Mills (one of the largest outlet and off-price retail malls in the United States — the massive mall complex that draws visitors from throughout the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas)), a diverse Lake County community with a significant Hispanic-American, working-class suburban, and tourism industry population, adjacent to Waukegan and North Chicago in the north Lake County corridor, home of significant logistics and distribution development along I-94, and one of the most visited entertainment destinations in the Chicago metro area — draws its municipal water supply from Lake Michigan via the Lake County Illinois Water Commission. Water hardness in Gurnee measures 146.5 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
Gurnee's moderate hardness reflects the north Lake County Illinois Lake Michigan distribution zone. The Lake County Water Commission distributes Lake Michigan supply to the north suburban Gurnee zone (primarily 1980s–1990s suburban development era mains), producing the moderate 146.5 mg/L.
At 146.5 mg/L, Gurnee residents encounter moderate scale accumulation. Monthly cleaning is recommended. Lake County Water Commission consistently delivers water meeting all Illinois EPA and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Lake supply from Lake Michigan via the Lake County Illinois Water Commission — the Lake County north Chicago suburban Gurnee corridor (Lake Michigan calcareous-moderate freshwater supply — the calcareous-moderate north Chicago suburban Lake County distribution; Lake County WC Gurnee north zone); moderately hard supply at 146.5 mg/L in Lake County.