Pekin Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.3 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
352.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.47
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 Pekin, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Pekin | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -55% |
| Washing Machine | 7.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -41% |
| Water Heater | 8.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -43% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Pekin compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pekin, Illinois | 176.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| East Peoria, Illinois | 207.5 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Peoria, Illinois | 183 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| North Peoria, Illinois | 245 mg/L | 8.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Morton, Illinois | 157.5 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Pekin compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pekin | 176.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Pekin's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Pekin, Illinois, the Tazewell County seat — a major central Illinois Illinois River Valley industrial city (Pekin is the Tazewell County seat and one of the significant central Illinois cities on the Illinois River — historically a major industrial city with significant manufacturing and distilling industries; Pekin was home of the large Hiram Walker and Sons whiskey distillery and is in the heart of central Illinois industrial corridor), adjacent to Peoria (Pekin and Peoria form the twin cities of central Illinois — the two largest cities in the central Illinois region, located on opposite sides of the Illinois River), a diverse Tazewell County community with a primarily working-class industrial heritage, and a city with a notable political history (Pekin was the home city of Senator Everett Dirksen — the long-serving Republican Senate minority leader who co-sponsored the Civil Rights Act of 1964) — draws its municipal water supply from the Illinois River via the City of Pekin Water Division. Water hardness in Pekin measures 176.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
Pekin's hard supply reflects the central Illinois Illinois River watershed's highly calcareous Paleozoic carbonate geology. The Illinois River at Pekin–Tazewell County drains: the Devonian–Mississippian Niagaran Dolomite (highly calcareous carbonate of the Illinois Basin); and the Pennsylvanian Springfield Coal Measures (calcareous-moderate marine limestone interbeds). City of Pekin applies treatment producing the hard 176.5 mg/L.
At 176.5 mg/L, Pekin residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling with citric acid solution is recommended. City of Pekin Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Illinois EPA and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Illinois River via the City of Pekin Water Division — the Tazewell County central Illinois Illinois River Valley (Pennsylvanian calcareous-moderate coal-bearing limestone and Devonian–Mississippian calcareous Niagaran Dolomite — the highly calcareous central Illinois Paleozoic carbonate of the Illinois Basin; Illinois River supply with treatment); hard supply at 176.5 mg/L in Tazewell County.