Palos Hills Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.9 grains per gallon
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
$0.41
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 Palos Hills, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Palos Hills | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -46% |
| Washing Machine | 8 yrs | 12 yrs | -33% |
| Water Heater | 9.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -37% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Palos Hills compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Palos Hills, Illinois | 152.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Hickory Hills, Illinois | 211.5 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Palos Heights, Illinois | 152 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Chicago Ridge, Illinois | 173 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Justice, Illinois | 197.5 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Palos Hills compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Palos Hills | 152.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Palos Hills's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Palos Hills, Illinois, in Cook County — a Cook County city adjacent to Palos Heights and Bridgeview in the southwest Cook County corridor — receives its municipal water from Illinois American Water or the Southwest Cook County water system, drawing from Lake Michigan via the Chicago water supply network or the Cal-Sag Channel (Cook County).
The moderately hard 152.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 280.8 mg/L are softer than the Chicago proper Lake Michigan reading (Kenwood: 215.5 mg/L, West Garfield Park: 182.5 mg/L), suggesting Palos Hills receives a different or blended supply. If drawing from the Cal-Sag Channel or a southwest Cook County groundwater blend, the reading would reflect a different water source profile than the primary Chicago Lake Michigan supply.
At 152.5 mg/L, Palos Hills' water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Southwest Cook County industrial corridor, the Lake Michigan PFAS accumulation from Great Lakes multi-state drainage, and the north Illinois PFAS background contribute to Palos Hills' readings.
Geology & Source: Palos Hills in Cook County draws from Illinois American Water on Lake Michigan or the Cal-Sag Channel (Cook County, southwest Chicago suburbs) — the Cal-Sag-Lake Michigan supply draws from the Silurian Niagara Dolomite Great Lakes basin carbonate drainage — Illinois Cook County Lake Michigan Silurian dolomite watershed produces moderately hard water at 152.5 mg/L with TDS 280.8 mg/L in this Cook County Illinois city.