Kewanee Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.7 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
492.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.58
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 Kewanee, your appliances are currently losing 29% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Kewanee | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -72% |
| Washing Machine | 5.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -53% |
| Water Heater | 6.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -54% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Kewanee compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kewanee, Illinois | 217.5 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Galesburg, Illinois | 226 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| East Moline, Illinois | 206.5 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Sterling, Illinois | 116 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| North Peoria, Illinois | 245 mg/L | 8.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Kewanee compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kewanee | 217.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Kewanee's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Kewanee, Illinois, in Henry County — the Henry County seat adjacent to Galesburg and Geneseo on the Spoon River in northwest Illinois — receives its water from the City of Kewanee Water, drawing from the Spoon River or the Henry County aquifer (Henry County) through the northwest Illinois distribution.
The very hard 217.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 492.6 mg/L reflect the northwest Illinois Henry County Spoon River supply's very hard calcareous character — the Pennsylvanian Carbondale Formation and Mississippian Burlington Limestone produce hard calcareous water throughout the northwest Illinois interior plains communities (compare Herrin IL: 223.5/515 in Williamson County comparable; Effingham IL: 207/454 in Effingham County comparable). The Spoon River at Henry County — Pennsylvanian Carbondale Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Mississippian Burlington Limestone (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Spoon River alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 217.5 mg/L with TDS 493, Kewanee's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended to prevent rapid scale buildup. A reverse osmosis system is advisable for drinking water. The PFAS level of 7.6 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Henry County northwest Illinois industrial corridor contribute to Kewanee's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Kewanee in Henry County draws from the City of Kewanee Water on the Spoon River or Henry County aquifer (Henry County, northwest Illinois) — the Spoon River at Henry County drains the Illinois Interior Plains (Pennsylvanian Carbondale Formation — calcareous) and Mississippian Burlington Limestone (calcareous) — Illinois Henry County Spoon River Pennsylvanian-Mississippian calcareous supply produces very hard water at 217.5 mg/L with TDS 492.6 mg/L.