Hickory Hills Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.4 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
470.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.56
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 Hickory Hills, your appliances are currently losing 28% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Hickory Hills | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -69% |
| Washing Machine | 5.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -52% |
| Water Heater | 7.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -53% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Hickory Hills compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hickory Hills, Illinois | 211.5 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Justice, Illinois | 197.5 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Palos Hills, Illinois | 152.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Bridgeview, Illinois | 220.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Burbank, Illinois | 250 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Hickory Hills compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hickory Hills | 211.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Hickory Hills's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Hickory Hills, Illinois, in Cook County — a Cook County city adjacent to Oak Lawn and Orland Park in the southwest Chicago metro — receives its water from Illinois American Water or City of Chicago water, drawing from Lake Michigan (Cook County) through the southwest Chicago metro distribution.
The very hard 211.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 470.5 mg/L are harder than most Cook County communities (Forest Park: 182 mg/L) — reflecting the southwest Chicago distribution position and the specific water treatment blend that Hickory Hills receives from the Illinois American Water southwest Chicago supply network. The Lake Michigan at Cook County blends — Precambrian Canadian Shield (insoluble — dilutant), Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), and Ordovician calcareous formations (calcareous — secondary contributor).
At 211.5 mg/L, Hickory Hills' water is very hard — scale builds rapidly in kettles and appliances, a water softener is beneficial, and water heaters should be inspected annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 7.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — O'Hare International Airport (Cook County — AFFF) and the Chicago metro industrial corridor contribute to Hickory Hills' elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Hickory Hills in Cook County draws from the Illinois American Water or Chicago water on Lake Michigan (Cook County, northeast Illinois) — Lake Michigan at Cook County blends Precambrian Laurentian Shield (insoluble) and Silurian Niagaran Dolomite dissolution — Illinois Cook County Lake Michigan Silurian dolomitic supply produces very hard water at 211.5 mg/L with TDS 470.5 mg/L.