Mundelein Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
391 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.50
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 Mundelein, your appliances are currently losing 25% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Mundelein | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -60% |
| Washing Machine | 6.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -45% |
| Water Heater | 8.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -46% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Mundelein compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Mundelein, Illinois | 188.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Vernon Hills, Illinois | 276.5 mg/L | 9.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Libertyville, Illinois | 126.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Grayslake, Illinois | 118 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Lake Zurich, Illinois | 270.5 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Mundelein compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Mundelein | 188.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Mundelein's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Mundelein, Illinois, in Lake County — a major north Chicago suburban community (Mundelein is a significant Lake County village — a north Chicago suburb along US-45 in the Lake County interior, home of a significant Catholic institutional presence; Mundelein is famous as the site of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake–Mundelein Seminary, a major Catholic theological seminary and the principal seminary of the Archdiocese of Chicago, one of the largest Catholic seminaries in the United States), home of a significant corporate campus and distribution center cluster (Mundelein's location along I-294 and US-45 makes it a significant industrial and distribution center in north Lake County), a diverse Lake County community with a significant Hispanic-American, working-class suburban, and Catholic community population, and a community with a large outdoor event tradition — draws its municipal water supply from Lake Michigan via the Lake County Illinois Water Commission. Water hardness in Mundelein measures 188.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
Mundelein's hard supply reflects the north Lake County Illinois Lake Michigan distribution zone. The Lake County Water Commission distributes Lake Michigan supply to the north suburban Mundelein zone (primarily 1960s–1990s suburban development era mains), producing the hard 188.5 mg/L.
At 188.5 mg/L, Mundelein residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling is recommended. Lake County Water Commission consistently delivers water meeting all Illinois EPA and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Lake supply from Lake Michigan via the Lake County Illinois Water Commission — the Lake County north Chicago suburban Mundelein corridor (Lake Michigan calcareous-moderate freshwater supply — the calcareous-moderate north Chicago suburban Lake County distribution; Lake County WC north Mundelein zone); hard supply at 188.5 mg/L in Lake County.