Norridge Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.6 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
549.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.62
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 Norridge, your appliances are currently losing 31% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Norridge | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -78% |
| Washing Machine | 5 yrs | 12 yrs | -58% |
| Water Heater | 6.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -58% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Norridge compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Norridge, Illinois | 232.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Elmwood Park, Illinois | 243.5 mg/L | 8.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Franklin Park, Illinois | 203 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Park Ridge, Illinois | 160 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Niles, Illinois | 227.5 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Norridge compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Norridge | 232.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Norridge's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Norridge, Illinois, in Cook County — a Cook County village adjacent to Harwood Heights and Park Ridge in the northwest Chicago suburb — receives its water from the City of Chicago or local utility, drawing from Lake Michigan possibly blended with local groundwater (Cook County) through the northwest Chicago distribution.
The very hard 232.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 549.2 mg/L are substantially harder than the standard Chicago Lake Michigan supply (Midlothian: 116.5 mg/L; Chicago proper: ~115 mg/L) — reflecting a significant Silurian Dolomite Aquifer groundwater blend contribution at the northwest Cook County position. The Silurian Niagara Dolomite Aquifer at northwest Cook County (dolomitic — primary hardness contributor at 232.5 mg/L, far exceeding the Lake Michigan baseline) and the Chicago Lake Michigan supply combine to produce the very hard northwest Chicago suburban supply.
At 232.5 mg/L with TDS 549, Norridge's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended. Scale builds rapidly on all surfaces, appliance lifespans are significantly shortened, and water heaters require annual descaling without softening. The PFAS level of 8.1 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — O'Hare International Airport (Cook County — AFFF), Glenview Naval Air Station (Cook County — legacy AFFF), and the northwest Chicago industrial corridor contribute to Norridge's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Norridge in Cook County draws from the City of Chicago on Lake Michigan with possible local groundwater supplement (Cook County, northwest Chicago suburb) — the northwest Cook County distribution integrates deeper Silurian Niagara Dolomite well water with Chicago Lake Michigan supply — Illinois Cook County Lake Michigan-Silurian Dolomite blended supply produces very hard water at 232.5 mg/L with TDS 549.2 mg/L.