Marion Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
16.3 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
744.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.75
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 Marion, your appliances are currently losing 37% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Marion | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -73% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Marion compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Marion, Illinois | 279.5 mg/L | 9.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Herrin, Illinois | 223.5 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Carbondale, Illinois | 210 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Mount Vernon, Illinois | 184.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Cape Girardeau, Missouri | 227.5 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Marion compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Marion | 279.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Marion's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Marion, Illinois, in Williamson County — the Williamson County seat adjacent to Carterville and Herrin in southern Illinois, the Shawnee Hills region — receives its municipal water from the Marion Water Division, drawing from Crab Orchard Lake (Williamson County) and supplemented by groundwater wells.
The extremely hard 279.5 mg/L hardness and very high TDS of 744.9 mg/L reflect the southern Illinois Shawnee Hills' Mississippian carbonate character. Crab Orchard Lake drains the Williamson County watershed — Pennsylvanian Carbondale Formation (coal-shale, slightly calcareous), Mississippian Salem Limestone and St. Louis Limestone (high-purity carbonate — major hardness contributors), and the Mississippian Ste. Genevieve Limestone. The predominance of Mississippian high-purity limestone in the Shawnee Hills watershed produces the exceptionally hard, high-TDS water characteristic of southern Illinois.
At 279.5 mg/L with TDS 745, Marion's water is extremely hard. A water softener is essential. Scale builds immediately on all surfaces, appliance lifespans are severely shortened, and water heaters require annual descaling without softening. The PFAS level of 9.7 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the Williamson County coal mining industry legacy, Scott Air Force Base (St. Clair County — AFFF in the Mississippi-Kaskaskia watershed), and the southern Illinois PFAS complex contribute to Marion's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Marion in Williamson County draws from the Marion Water Division on the Crab Orchard Lake (Williamson County, southern Illinois) — Crab Orchard Lake drains the Illinois Shawnee Hills (Pennsylvanian Carbondale Formation coal-shale, Mississippian Salem Limestone) — Illinois Williamson County Mississippian Salem Limestone watershed produces extremely hard water at 279.5 mg/L with very high TDS 744.9 mg/L in this Williamson County Illinois city.