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Montgomery Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · 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

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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.

ApplianceIn MontgomerySoft Water CityEfficiency 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

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Montgomery, Illinois≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Aurora, Illinois≈ 60–120 mg/L45.3 ppt🟡 Moderately Hardriver
Oswego, Illinois≈ 180+ mg/L0 ppt🔴 Very Hardgroundwater
North Aurora, Illinois≈ 180+ mg/L0 ppt🔴 Very Hardgroundwater
Batavia, Illinois≈ 180+ mg/L0 ppt🔴 Very Hardgroundwater

National Benchmark

How Montgomery compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Montgomery≈ 120–179 mg/L🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Montgomery's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 255.9 mg/LpH: 8.1

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?
Yes. Montgomery's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in Montgomery?
At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Montgomery's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.
How does Montgomery compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Montgomery (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

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.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

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.

Measured

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.

Modelled

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.

Calculated

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.