How does Palos Hills's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Palos Hills (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L harder than average.

Palos Hills Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

7.9

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.003 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

280.8 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.91

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

very hard180+ mg/LVery Hard · 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 Palos Hills, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Palos Hills	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	4.7 yrs	8.5 yrs	-45%
Washing Machine	6.6 yrs	12 yrs	-45%
Water Heater	8.3 yrs	15 yrs	-45%

Regional Water Comparison

How Palos Hills compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Palos Hills, Illinois	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	river
Worth, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Hickory Hills, Illinois	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	river
Palos Heights, Illinois	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	river
Chicago Ridge, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Palos Hills compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Palos Hills	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 High
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Palos Hills's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 280.8 mg/LpH: 7.9

The City of Palos Hills, Illinois receives its drinking water from the Village of Oak Lawn, which obtains water from the City of Chicago. Chicago's source is surface water from Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes. Water is treated through Chicago's municipal system before reaching Palos Hills' service area of approximately 18,415 residents in Cook County. The City of Palos Hills Water Department can be reached at 708-598-3400 ext. 1111, with administrative offices at 8455 West 103rd Street, Palos Hills, IL 60465.

Lake Michigan is situated within the Superior Upland physiographic province, shaped by Pleistocene glaciation. Underlying bedrock consists primarily of Ordovician and Silurian dolomite and limestone formations, which are highly soluble and contribute significant dissolved minerals to the water column. These carbonate-rich formations, combined with the lake's long residence time and natural mineral content, result in a mineralised water supply. The glacial legacy also deposited clay and silt layers that influence groundwater and surface water interactions throughout the region.

Palos Hills residents receive very hard water, causing scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and kettles, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Soap and detergent effectiveness is diminished, requiring higher doses for cleaning, and white or chalky deposits appear on fixtures and glassware. A whole-house water softener is commonly recommended at this hardness level to protect appliances and reduce maintenance costs. The annual Consumer Confidence Report is available through the city website and documents compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act standards; residents should consult it for pH, lead/copper, and PFAS data.

Geology & Source: Lake Michigan glacially-carved basin, Superior Upland province; Ordovician and Silurian dolomite and limestone beneath Pleistocene glacial deposits — highly soluble carbonates contribute dissolved minerals, producing hard water

Other Illinois Water Reports

Worth

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Hickory Hills

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Palos Heights

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Chicago Ridge

≈ 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 Palos Hills's water safe to drink?

Yes. Palos Hills's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Palos Hills?

At ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), Palos Hills'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 45%.

How does Palos Hills compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Palos Hills (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L above the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Palos Hills 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.