Pontiac 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
564.6 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 Pontiac, your appliances are currently losing 32% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Pontiac | 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 Pontiac compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pontiac, Illinois | 236.5 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Streator, Illinois | 130.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Ottawa, Illinois | 134 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Normal, Illinois | 231 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Morris, Illinois | 154 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Pontiac compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pontiac | 236.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Pontiac's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Pontiac, Illinois, in Livingston County — a Livingston County city adjacent to Dwight and Streator on the Vermilion River in central Illinois — receives its water from the City of Pontiac Water Department, drawing from the Vermilion River through the central Illinois distribution.
The very hard 236.5 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 564.6 mg/L reflect the Livingston County Vermilion supply's very hard dolomitic character — the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite is a consistently high-hardness formation throughout central Illinois, and the Ordovician Trenton Limestone contributes additional calcareous mineral content to the watershed (compare Dwight IL: 232/556 in Livingston County comparable; Streator IL: 240/572 in La Salle County comparable; Pontiac consistent very hard from the same Livingston County Vermilion River Silurian-Ordovician dolomitic supply). The Vermilion watershed — Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Trenton Limestone (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary glacial till (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 236.5 mg/L with TDS 565, Pontiac's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 8.3 ppt is elevated — a certified drinking water filter is recommended — the Livingston County central Illinois industrial and agricultural corridor contributes to Pontiac's elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Pontiac in Livingston County draws from the City of Pontiac Water on the Vermilion River (Livingston County, central Illinois) — the Vermilion watershed drains Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic) and Ordovician Trenton Limestone (calcareous) — Illinois Livingston County Vermilion River Silurian-Ordovician dolomitic supply produces very hard water at 236.5 mg/L with TDS 564.6 mg/L.