Montgomery Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
255.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Montgomery, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Montgomery | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Montgomery compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Montgomery, Illinois | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Aurora, Illinois | ≈ 60–120 mg/L | 45.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Oswego, Illinois | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| North Aurora, Illinois | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Batavia, Illinois | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Montgomery compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Montgomery | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Montgomery's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The Village of Montgomery Water Treatment Facilities serve the Village of Montgomery in Kendall and Kane Counties, Illinois, providing drinking water to residential and commercial customers. The utility sources water from local groundwater wells tapping glacial drift aquifers and underlying bedrock formations. Treatment occurs at village-operated facilities, with annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) published on montgomeryil.org detailing compliance with federal and state standards, as noted in the 2019 CCR. No centralized surface water sources are used; supply relies entirely on groundwater from the Fox River Valley region.
The watershed encompasses the Fox River Valley region, where groundwater is recharged through precipitation percolating into glacial deposits and fractured bedrock. Key geological features include Silurian-age dolomites and Pennsylvanian sandstones of the Ancell and Galena Groups, which dissolve to impart minerals characteristic of a hard supply. Overlying glacial till promotes leaching from limestone and dolomite outcrops, elevating calcium and magnesium without significant softening from surface runoff. This geology shapes the water's moderately mineralised profile throughout the distribution area.
Moderately hard water in Montgomery causes scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, and faucets, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Dry skin, spotty dishes, and soap scum are common household effects. A water softener is optional but recommended for households noticing these effects; regular vinegar descaling and low-flow aerators help manage mineral deposits. The utility meets all EPA standards for pH, lead, and copper, with no notable PFAS detections in available reports. Treatment includes disinfection via chlorination and basic filtration; groundwater sources minimize organic contaminants but require monitoring for iron and manganese. CCRs confirm consistent compliance.
Geology & Source: Fox River Valley, Illinois; glacial till overlying Silurian dolomite and Pennsylvanian sandstone of the Ancell and Galena Groups; carbonate dissolution elevates calcium and magnesium — hard groundwater supply
Other Illinois Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montgomery's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Montgomery?
How does Montgomery compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Montgomery is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.