How does Mundelein's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Mundelein (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Mundelein Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

8.1

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.005 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

391 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

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 Mundelein, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Mundelein	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 Mundelein compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Mundelein, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Vernon Hills, Illinois	276.5 mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Libertyville, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Grayslake, Illinois	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Gages Lake, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.9 ppt	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Mundelein compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Mundelein	≈ 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 Mundelein's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 391 mg/LpH: 8.1

The Village of Mundelein Water Division serves approximately 31,128 residents in Lake County, Illinois. The utility sources its water from Lake Michigan via purchased surface water, treated at the CLCJAWA (Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency) Paul M. Neal Water Treatment Facility located in the Village of Lake Bluff. Water is pumped from Lake Michigan and undergoes comprehensive treatment before distribution to the service area, with bacteriological testing conducted six times more frequently than required by regulation and continuous monitoring of water clarity.

Mundelein's water supply draws from the Lake Michigan watershed, part of the glacially-carved Great Lakes system. The surrounding geology consists of Pleistocene glacial deposits overlying Ordovician and Silurian carbonate bedrock formations—dolomite and limestone. Although Lake Michigan itself provides relatively soft water compared to groundwater supplies, the carbonate-rich bedrock underlying northern Illinois contributes dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals that influence the overall water chemistry, resulting in a moderately hard supply characteristic of the region.

At moderately hard levels, Mundelein residents may experience minor scale buildup in water heaters and kettles, though effects are less severe than in very hard water areas. Soap and detergent performance may be slightly reduced, and some households may notice modest mineral deposits on fixtures. A water softener is optional but recommended for those sensitive to hardness or with high-use appliances; regular maintenance and periodic descaling of kettles and water heaters mitigates accumulation. The utility tests for over 200 contaminants annually and works closely with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and the CLCJAWA Water Quality Lab; reported contaminants include trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, Isopropylbenzene, Arsenic, and Dinoseb, with the Village maintaining compliance with state and federal drinking water standards.

Geology & Source: Lake Michigan glacially-carved Great Lakes basin; Pleistocene glacial deposits overlying Ordovician and Silurian dolomite and limestone — carbonate bedrock contributes dissolved calcium and magnesium; moderately hard supply in northern Illinois

Other Illinois Water Reports

Vernon Hills

276.5 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Libertyville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Grayslake

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Gages Lake

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mundelein's water safe to drink?

Yes. Mundelein'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 Mundelein?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Mundelein'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 Mundelein compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Mundelein (≈ 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 Mundelein 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

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.