Matteson Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
14.5 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
612.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.66
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 Matteson, your appliances are currently losing 33% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Matteson | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -63% |
| Water Heater | 5.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -62% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Matteson compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Matteson, Illinois | 248.5 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Richton Park, Illinois | 129 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Park Forest, Illinois | 157.5 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Country Club Hills, Illinois | 273.5 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Hazel Crest, Illinois | 186.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Matteson compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Matteson | 248.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Matteson's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Matteson, Illinois, in Cook County — a Cook County incorporated village in the south suburban Chicago corridor adjacent to Park Forest and Richton Park, a Chicago south suburb on the Metra Electric District commuter rail — receives its municipal water from Illinois American Water or the South Suburban Water Commission, drawing from Lake Michigan through the Chicago metropolitan south Lake Michigan distribution system.
The hard 248.5 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 612.7 mg/L are consistent with the south Cook County Lake Michigan supply — essentially the same water as Alsip (236 mg/L) and Homewood (253.5 mg/L) in the south Chicago suburbs. All draw from the same Chicago metropolitan Lake Michigan intake, with the Silurian Niagara Dolomite carbonate platform producing the hard supply characteristic across the entire Chicago south metropolitan area.
At 248.5 mg/L, Matteson's water is hard — scale builds rapidly in appliances and plumbing. A water softener is recommended. Dishes spot heavily, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits quickly. The PFAS level of 8.7 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the Calumet Region industrial-chemical complex (south Cook County-Lake County IN), the south suburban Chicago manufacturing corridor, and the Chicago south Lake Michigan PFAS complex contribute to Matteson's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Matteson in Cook County draws from the Illinois American Water or the South Suburban Water Commission on Lake Michigan — Lake Michigan receives drainage from the Great Lakes basin (Silurian Niagara Dolomite, calcareous Pleistocene till) — Lake Michigan Silurian dolomite carbonate drainage produces hard water at 248.5 mg/L with high TDS 613 mg/L in this Cook County Illinois village.