McHenry Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
15.5 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
678.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.71
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 McHenry, your appliances are currently losing 35% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In McHenry | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -68% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How McHenry compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ McHenry, Illinois | 264.5 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Crystal Lake, Illinois | 113 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Cary, Illinois | 119 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Wauconda, Illinois | 162.5 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Lake in the Hills, Illinois | 271.5 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How McHenry compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ McHenry | 264.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes McHenry's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
McHenry, Illinois, in McHenry County — a major northeast Illinois Fox River Chain O' Lakes community (McHenry is a significant McHenry County city — a northeast Illinois Fox River community at the north end of the Fox River Chain O' Lakes; McHenry is situated at the point where the Fox River exits the Chain O' Lakes (a connected series of natural lakes in northeast McHenry County — one of the most popular boating, fishing, and recreational lake communities in Illinois; the Chain O' Lakes State Park and the Fox Chain O' Lakes are major recreational destinations for the Chicago metropolitan area)); McHenry is a growing suburb on the outer northwestern fringe of the Chicago metropolitan area — the McHenry County corridor along the Fox River has grown substantially as Chicago area residents sought more rural and lake-oriented residential environments while maintaining access to the Chicago employment market; McHenry is known for its Fox River recreational culture and its annual downtown events, a diverse McHenry County community with a primarily white working-class and middle-class suburban family population — draws its municipal water supply from the Fox River via the City of McHenry Water Division. Water hardness in McHenry measures 264.5 mg/L — classified as very hard.
McHenry's very hard supply reflects the northeast Illinois McHenry County Fox River Silurian carbonate corridor's calcareous character. The Fox River at McHenry draws dissolved carbonates from the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite aquifer system, and limited softening produces the very hard 264.5 mg/L.
At 264.5 mg/L, McHenry residents face significant hard water challenges. Regular water softeners and descaling are strongly recommended. City of McHenry Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Illinois EPA and federal EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Fox River via the City of McHenry Water Division — the McHenry County northeast Illinois Fox River McHenry corridor (Silurian calcareous Niagaran Dolomite — the extremely calcareous northeast Illinois McHenry County Fox River carbonate corridor; limited softening); very hard at 264.5 mg/L in McHenry County.