Midlothian Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.8 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
187.3 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 Midlothian, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Midlothian | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -32% |
| Washing Machine | 9.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -22% |
| Water Heater | 10.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -27% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Midlothian compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Midlothian, Illinois | 116.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Oak Forest, Illinois | 267.5 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Markham, Illinois | 233 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Alsip, Illinois | 236 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Blue Island, Illinois | 193 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Midlothian compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Midlothian | 116.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Midlothian's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Midlothian, Illinois, in Cook County — a Cook County village adjacent to Alsip and Robbins in the south Chicago suburb — receives its water from the City of Chicago or Illinois American Water, drawing from Lake Michigan (Cook County) through the Chicago south suburb distribution.
The moderately hard 116.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 187.3 mg/L are consistent with the south Chicago suburban Lake Michigan supply (Blue Island: ~115 mg/L; Harvey: ~117 mg/L) — the standard Chicago Water Department Lake Michigan character. Lake Michigan at the Chicago intake receives drainage from the Great Lakes Basin — Silurian Niagara Dolomite (dolomite — primary TDS contributor), Devonian Hamilton Formation (calcareous shale — primary hardness contributor), and Silurian Racine Formation (calcareous). The Silurian dolomite and Devonian calcareous input produces the moderately hard Chicago metro supply.
At 116.5 mg/L, Midlothian'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 Cook County south Chicago industrial corridor and the Lake Michigan PFAS background from the Chicago-Gary steelworks complex contribute to Midlothian's readings.
Geology & Source: Midlothian in Cook County draws from the City of Chicago on Lake Michigan (Cook County, northeast Illinois) — Lake Michigan receives drainage from the Great Lakes Basin (Silurian Niagara Dolomite, Devonian Hamilton Formation calcareous) — Illinois Cook County Lake Michigan Silurian-Devonian calcareous watershed produces moderately hard water at 116.5 mg/L with TDS 187.3 mg/L.