Highland Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.8 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
499.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.59
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 Highland Park, your appliances are currently losing 29% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Highland Park | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -72% |
| Washing Machine | 5.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -54% |
| Water Heater | 6.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -55% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Highland Park compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Highland Park, Illinois | 219.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Deerfield, Illinois | 144 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Northbrook, Illinois | 251 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Lake Forest, Illinois | 259 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Winnetka, Illinois | 246 mg/L | 8.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Highland Park compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Highland Park | 219.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Highland Park's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Highland Park, Illinois, in Lake County — a major north Chicago affluent suburban community (Highland Park is a significant Lake County city — one of the most affluent and culturally rich North Shore Chicago suburbs; Highland Park is home of the Ravinia Festival (one of the oldest and most celebrated outdoor music festivals in the United States — the Ravinia Festival has been the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1936; Ravinia's outdoor pavilion and lawn concerts attract over 600,000 visitors annually in its scenic Lake County wooded setting)), a diverse Lake County community with a large Jewish-American and affluent professional population (Highland Park is one of the most predominantly Jewish communities in the Chicago metro area), adjacent to Deerfield and Highwood in the north Lake County North Shore corridor, made tragically prominent by the July 4, 2022 mass shooting on its Independence Day parade route (six people were killed in a mass shooting — one of the deadliest July 4th mass shootings in US history), and one of the most distinguished North Shore communities — draws its municipal water supply from Lake Michigan via the City of Highland Park Water Division. Water hardness in Highland Park measures 219.5 mg/L — classified as very hard.
Highland Park's very hard supply reflects the north Chicago Lake County Lake Michigan distribution zone's limited softening. The City of Highland Park Water Division distributes Lake Michigan supply with limited softening, producing the very hard 219.5 mg/L.
At 219.5 mg/L, Highland Park residents face significant hard water challenges. Regular water softeners and descaling are strongly recommended. City of Highland Park Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Illinois EPA and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Lake supply from the Lake Michigan via the City of Highland Park Water Division — the Lake County north Chicago suburban Highland Park corridor (Silurian calcareous Niagaran Dolomite — the calcareous north Chicago Lake County dolomite with Lake Michigan supply; limited softening); very hard supply at 219.5 mg/L in Lake County.