How does Lincoln's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Lincoln (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L harder than average.

Lincoln Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

583 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.91

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

very hard180+ mg/LVery Hard · est.

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 Lincoln, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Lincoln	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	4.7 yrs	8.5 yrs	-45%
Washing Machine	6.6 yrs	12 yrs	-45%
Water Heater	8.3 yrs	15 yrs	-45%

Regional Water Comparison

How Lincoln compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Lincoln, Illinois	≈ 180+ mg/L	4.7 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Springfield, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	6 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Morton, Illinois	128.5 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Bloomington, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Pekin, Illinois	470 mg/L	6.2 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Lincoln compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Lincoln	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 High
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Lincoln's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 583 mg/LpH: 8

Illinois American Water - Lincoln District supplies roughly 15,000 residents in Logan County, including the city of Lincoln and nearby areas. Their water comes entirely from wells that draw from the Mahomet-Teays Valley Aquifer, a deep aquifer composed of glacial sand and gravel. The Lincoln Water Treatment Plant is where this groundwater is treated. Disinfection is applied, and zinc orthophosphate is added to help control corrosion. For more information, you can contact Heather Weekley, Water Quality Superintendent, at 309-419-0985.

The water originates from the Mahomet-Teays buried valley aquifer system, which stretches across central Illinois. This system is fed by sand and gravel deposits from Pleistocene glacial outwash, situated above Pennsylvanian bedrock. Because it's a confined aquifer, it gets recharge from distant areas and has little surface interaction. This results in a very hard water supply that's rich in minerals. The geology includes glacial deposits packed with carbonates and formations influenced by limestone, which dissolve significant amounts of calcium and magnesium. This leads to water with high dissolved solids and a hardness that can increase corrosivity when combined with chlorides and sulfates.

This very hard water can lead to substantial scale buildup in your home's pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, which not only reduces their efficiency but also shortens their lifespan. Hot water systems are particularly vulnerable to deposits of calcium carbonate. You might also notice that soap doesn't lather well, leaving a sticky residue on your skin, hair, and clothes. To manage this, regularly descale fixtures and appliances. Installing a whole-house water softener is highly recommended for homes in this area. It will help prevent spotting on glassware, extend the life of your appliances, and make cleaning more effective. Illinois American Water uses zinc orthophosphate for corrosion control, as recommended by the Illinois EPA, and has kept lead and copper levels below action thresholds.

Geology & Source: Mahomet-Teays Valley Aquifer; Pleistocene unconsolidated sands and gravels overlying Pennsylvanian bedrock; limestone and dolomite-rich glacial tills and bedrock impart very high hardness

Other Illinois Water Reports

Springfield

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Morton

128.5 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Bloomington

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Pekin

470 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lincoln's water safe to drink?

Yes. Lincoln's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Lincoln?

At ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), Lincoln's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 45%.

How does Lincoln compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Lincoln (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L above the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Lincoln is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.