Morton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.2 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
295.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.42
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 Morton, your appliances are currently losing 21% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Morton | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -48% |
| Washing Machine | 7.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -35% |
| Water Heater | 9.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -38% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Morton compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Morton, Illinois | 157.5 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Washington, Illinois | 149.5 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| East Peoria, Illinois | 207.5 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Peoria, Illinois | 183 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| North Peoria, Illinois | 245 mg/L | 8.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Morton compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Morton | 157.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Morton's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Morton, Illinois, in Tazewell County — a Tazewell County village adjacent to Washington and East Peoria in the central Illinois Peoria metro, known as the Pumpkin Capital of the World — receives its municipal water from the Morton Water Division, drawing from the Mackinaw River (Tazewell County) or the Illinois American Water system, same watershed as neighboring Washington IL.
The moderately hard 157.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 295.2 mg/L are somewhat harder than neighboring Washington IL (149.5 mg/L), reflecting slightly different supply zone or well depth within the same Mackinaw River Tazewell County watershed. The Mackinaw River at Tazewell County drains the Illinois Till Plain — Silurian Niagara Dolomite (the dominant central Illinois carbonate platform), Ordovician Galena Dolomite, and calcareous Pleistocene Shelby Lobe till. The cumulative Silurian-Ordovician carbonate and till leaching produces the moderately hard central Illinois supply.
At 157.5 mg/L, Morton'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 5.6 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Tazewell County central Illinois industrial corridor (Caterpillar Peoria manufacturing complex proximity) and the central Illinois agricultural PFAS background contribute to Morton's readings.
Geology & Source: Morton in Tazewell County draws from the Morton Water Division on the Mackinaw River (Tazewell County, central Illinois) — the Mackinaw drains the Illinois Till Plain (Silurian Niagara Dolomite, Ordovician Galena Dolomite, calcareous Pleistocene Shelby Lobe till) — Illinois Tazewell County Mackinaw River Silurian-Ordovician carbonate watershed produces moderately hard water at 157.5 mg/L with TDS 295.2 mg/L.