Morgan Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.8 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
276.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
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 Morgan Park, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Morgan Park | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -46% |
| Washing Machine | 8 yrs | 12 yrs | -33% |
| Water Heater | 9.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -36% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Morgan Park compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Morgan Park, Illinois | 151 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Blue Island, Illinois | 193 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Mount Greenwood, Illinois | 168 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Evergreen Park, Illinois | 270.5 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Auburn Gresham, Illinois | 222.5 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Morgan Park compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Morgan Park | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Morgan Park's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Morgan Park, Illinois, in Cook County on the far south side of Chicago near Beverly and Mount Greenwood — one of Chicago's southernmost community areas, a historically stable residential neighborhood known for its Victorian-era graystone homes and Morgan Park Academy — receives its municipal water from the Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM), which draws from Lake Michigan through offshore deep tunnel intake cribs at the South Water Filtration Plant and the Jardine Water Purification Plant, the world's largest water treatment facilities. The South Shore distribution system serves Chicago's far south side communities.
The moderately hard 151 mg/L hardness and TDS of 276.9 mg/L reflect the Lake Michigan-sourced Chicago water supply character. Lake Michigan accumulates moderate carbonate hardness from its basin tributaries — including the Fox River (draining Silurian dolomite reefs across northern Illinois and Wisconsin), St. Joseph River (Michigan carbonate contributions), and other Michigan Basin tributaries draining the Devonian carbonate platform of the Great Lakes region. Chicago DWM's treatment process removes taste, color, and biological contaminants but preserves the naturally occurring carbonate hardness, and distribution system mineral accumulation in the far south side's aging infrastructure adds some additional hardness to Morgan Park's finished supply.
At 151 mg/L, Morgan Park's water is moderately hard — the standard Chicago municipal supply profile. Scale builds in kettles and coffee machines over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling of heating appliances is the standard schedule for Chicago households. The PFAS level of 5.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Chicago's far south side industrial legacy, including the former South Works steel plant corridor and the Calumet River industrial waterway, contributes to PFAS in the Lake Michigan southern supply zone.
Geology & Source: Morgan Park in Cook County is served by the Chicago Department of Water Management drawing from Lake Michigan through deep tunnel intake cribs — Lake Michigan receives carbonate loading from Silurian dolomite and Devonian limestone basin tributaries across the Great Lakes watershed — Lake Michigan carbonate tributary base and distribution system mineral accumulation produce moderately hard water at 151 mg/L with TDS 277 mg/L in this far south Chicago neighborhood.