Lemont Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.7 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
183.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.31
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 Lemont, your appliances are currently losing 15% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Lemont | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -32% |
| Washing Machine | 9.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -22% |
| Water Heater | 11 yrs | 15 yrs | -27% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Lemont compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lemont, Illinois | 115 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Bolingbrook, Illinois | 198.5 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Darien, Illinois | 128.5 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Goodings Grove, Illinois | 274 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Woodridge, Illinois | 260.5 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Lemont compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lemont | 115 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Lemont's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Lemont, Illinois, in Cook County — a Cook County village adjacent to Romeoville and Palos Hills on the Illinois and Michigan Canal and Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in southwest suburban Chicago — receives its municipal water from the DuPage Water Commission or Lemont Village Water, drawing from Lake Michigan through the DuPage Commission infrastructure (southwest Cook County).
The moderately hard 115 mg/L hardness and TDS of 183.8 mg/L are notably softer than the south Cook County Lake Michigan readings (Country Club Hills: 273.5 mg/L; Skokie: 258 mg/L), suggesting Lemont receives a more recently treated or differently blended Lake Michigan supply through the DuPage Water Commission that includes Joliet-area treatment (Illinois River blending or different Chicago intake zone). Lake Michigan standard supply would be 250+ mg/L at this longitude; Lemont's lower reading likely reflects DuPage Commission treatment processes or inland distribution dilution.
At 115 mg/L, Lemont's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal industrial corridor (chemical industry PFAS legacy from the southwest Chicago metro), and the Cook County PFAS background contribute to Lemont's readings.
Geology & Source: Lemont in Cook County draws from the DuPage Water Commission on Lake Michigan (Cook County, southwest suburban Chicago) — Lake Michigan drains the Great Lakes basin (Silurian Niagara Dolomite, Ordovician Galena-Platteville, calcareous Pleistocene till) — Illinois Cook County Lake Michigan Great Lakes carbonate basin produces moderately hard water at 115 mg/L with TDS 183.8 mg/L in this Cook County Illinois village.