North Chicago Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.8 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
566.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.63
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 North Chicago, your appliances are currently losing 32% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In North Chicago | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -79% |
| Washing Machine | 4.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -60% |
| Water Heater | 6.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -59% |
Regional Water Comparison
How North Chicago compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Chicago, Illinois | 237 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Waukegan, Illinois | 163 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Lake Forest, Illinois | 259 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Gurnee, Illinois | 146.5 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Beach Park, Illinois | 125.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How North Chicago compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Chicago | 237 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes North Chicago's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
North Chicago, Illinois, in Lake County — a major north Chicago Lake County military and industrial city (North Chicago is a significant Lake County city — home of Naval Station Great Lakes (the US Navy's only freshwater naval station and the US Navy's primary enlisted training base — Naval Station Great Lakes is the largest naval installation in the United States by personnel, graduating over 50,000 recruit sailors annually through the Navy's Basic Training Program; North Chicago and Naval Station Great Lakes are synonymous in the Chicago area), home of AbbVie's global headquarters campus (one of the most important pharmaceutical companies in the world — AbbVie's North Chicago campus is one of the largest pharmaceutical research and manufacturing facilities in the United States; Humira, the world's best-selling prescription drug, was developed at AbbVie's North Chicago laboratories)), a diverse Lake County community with a significant military and Navy family, African-American, and Hispanic-American population — draws its municipal water supply from Lake Michigan via the City of North Chicago Water Division. Water hardness in North Chicago measures 237 mg/L — classified as very hard.
North Chicago's very hard supply reflects the north Chicago Lake County Lake Michigan distribution zone's limited softening. The North Chicago Water Division distributes Lake Michigan supply with limited softening, producing the very hard 237 mg/L.
At 237 mg/L, North Chicago residents face significant hard water challenges. Regular water softeners and descaling are strongly recommended. City of North Chicago Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Illinois EPA and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Lake supply from the Lake Michigan via the City of North Chicago Water Division — the Lake County north Chicago suburban North Chicago corridor (Silurian calcareous Niagaran Dolomite — the calcareous north Chicago Lake County dolomite with Lake Michigan supply; limited softening); very hard supply at 237 mg/L in Lake County.