Lake in the Hills Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
15.9 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
709.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.72
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 Lake in the Hills, your appliances are currently losing 36% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Lake in the Hills | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -70% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Lake in the Hills compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lake in the Hills, Illinois | 271.5 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Algonquin, Illinois | 227 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Crystal Lake, Illinois | 113 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Carpentersville, Illinois | 114.5 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Cary, Illinois | 119 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Lake in the Hills compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lake in the Hills | 271.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Lake in the Hills's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Lake in the Hills, Illinois, in McHenry County — a major northwest Chicago suburban community (Lake in the Hills is a significant McHenry County village — a northwest Chicago suburban community in the Fox River Valley corridor adjacent to Algonquin and Crystal Lake; Lake in the Hills is one of the rapidly growing McHenry County communities that expanded dramatically during the 1990s–2000s suburban boom, with significant new residential development in the northwest Chicago exurban belt), a diverse McHenry County community with a primarily working-class and middle-class suburban family population, adjacent to Algonquin and Huntley in the northwest McHenry County corridor, home of a growing north Chicago suburban residential community, and one of the Fox River Valley's newer suburban developments — draws its municipal water supply from the Silurian Dolomite aquifer via the Village of Lake in the Hills Water Division. Water hardness in Lake in the Hills measures 271.5 mg/L — classified as very hard.
Lake in the Hills's very hard supply reflects the McHenry County Silurian dolomite aquifer's highly calcareous character. The Niagaran Dolomite aquifer at Lake in the Hills draws from the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly calcareous — the same Paleozoic Platform dolomite forming the Niagara Falls escarpment). Very limited softening produces the very hard 271.5 mg/L.
At 271.5 mg/L, Lake in the Hills residents face significant hard water challenges. Regular water softeners and descaling are strongly recommended. Village of Lake in the Hills Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Illinois EPA and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Silurian Dolomite aquifer (Niagaran Dolomite) via the Village of Lake in the Hills Water Division — the McHenry County northwest Chicago suburban Lake in the Hills corridor (Silurian calcareous Niagaran Dolomite — the extremely calcareous northwest Chicago McHenry County dolomite aquifer; very limited softening); very hard supply at 271.5 mg/L in McHenry County.