Plano Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.6 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
484.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.57
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 Plano, your appliances are currently losing 29% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Plano | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -71% |
| Washing Machine | 5.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -53% |
| Water Heater | 7 yrs | 15 yrs | -53% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Plano compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Plano, Illinois | 215.5 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Yorkville, Illinois | 275 mg/L | 9.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Oswego, Illinois | 133 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Montgomery, Illinois | 143.5 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Aurora, Illinois | 279.5 mg/L | 9.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Plano compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Plano | 215.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Plano's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Plano, Illinois, in Kendall County — a Kendall County city adjacent to Yorkville and Sandwich on the Fox River in northeast Illinois — receives its water from the City of Plano Water Department, drawing from the Fox River through the northeast Illinois distribution.
The very hard 215.5 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 484.9 mg/L reflect the Kendall County Fox River supply's very hard dolomitic character — the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite and Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite are among the most calcareous formations in northeast Illinois, and the Fox River acquires substantial dissolved mineral content from its dolomite-dominated drainage (compare Yorkville IL: 210/473 in Kendall County comparable; Sandwich IL: 220/497 in DeKalb County comparable; Plano consistent very hard from the same Kendall County Fox River Silurian dolomitic supply). The Fox River at Kendall County — Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite (dolomitic — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Fox River alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 215.5 mg/L with TDS 485, Plano's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. The PFAS level of 7.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review the City of Plano's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Plano in Kendall County draws from the City of Plano Water on the Fox River (Kendall County, northeast Illinois) — the Fox River at Kendall County drains Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic) and Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite (dolomitic) — Illinois Kendall County Fox River Silurian dolomitic supply produces very hard water at 215.5 mg/L with TDS 484.9 mg/L.