Homewood Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
14.8 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
633.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.68
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 Homewood, your appliances are currently losing 34% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Homewood | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -65% |
| Water Heater | 5.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -63% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Homewood compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Homewood, Illinois | 253.5 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Hazel Crest, Illinois | 186.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Markham, Illinois | 233 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Country Club Hills, Illinois | 273.5 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Harvey, Illinois | 178 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Homewood compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Homewood | 253.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Homewood's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Homewood, Illinois, in Cook County — a Cook County incorporated village in the south suburban Chicago corridor adjacent to Flossmoor and Hazel Crest, a Chicago south suburb on the Illinois Central commuter rail line — receives its municipal water from Illinois American Water or the South Suburban Water Commission, drawing from Lake Michigan at the Chicago metropolitan intake and distribution system serving south Cook County.
The hard 253.5 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 633.1 mg/L reflect the Lake Michigan south metropolitan supply character — essentially the same Lake Michigan water supply as Lake Forest (259 mg/L, TDS 656) and the broader Chicago metropolitan system. Lake Michigan's hardness in the south Chicago metro zone is consistent with the Silurian Niagara Dolomite carbonate drainage from the lower Michigan basin and the calcareous Pleistocene glacial till of the Great Lakes lowland, producing the hard water characteristic throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.
At 253.5 mg/L, Homewood's water is hard — scale builds rapidly in appliances and plumbing. A water softener is recommended. Dishes spot heavily, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits quickly. The PFAS level of 8.8 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the Calumet Region industrial-chemical complex (south Cook County-Lake County IN — historically one of the most heavily industrialized corridors in North America, with major PFAS-class chemical manufacturing), Ford City plant legacy, and the Chicago south Lake Michigan PFAS corridor contribute to Homewood's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Homewood in Cook County draws from Illinois American Water or the South Suburban Water Commission on Lake Michigan — Lake Michigan receives the Great Lakes basin drainage from the Laurentian Shield and the Great Lakes Lowland (Silurian Niagara Dolomite) — Lake Michigan Silurian dolomite carbonate drainage produces hard water at 253.5 mg/L with high TDS 633 mg/L in this Cook County Illinois suburb.