Portage Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
14.1 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
582.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.64
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 Portage Park, your appliances are currently losing 32% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Portage Park | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -81% |
| Washing Machine | 4.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -61% |
| Water Heater | 6 yrs | 15 yrs | -60% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Portage Park compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Portage Park, Illinois | 241 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Belmont Cragin, Illinois | 139.5 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Irving Park, Illinois | 154 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Albany Park, Illinois | 222 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Avondale, Illinois | 101 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Portage Park compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Portage Park | 241 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Portage Park's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Portage Park, Illinois — a northwest side Chicago neighborhood centered on the Six Corners commercial district at Irving Park Road, Milwaukee Avenue, and Cicero Avenue — receives its municipal water supply from the City of Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM), drawing Lake Michigan water treated at the Jardine Water Purification Plant (north lakefront) and distributed through the northwest side Chicago neighborhood infrastructure. Water hardness in Portage Park measures 241 mg/L — classified as very hard, among the hardest in Chicago.
Portage Park's very hard supply reflects the northwest Chicago distribution zone's aged cast-iron water main infrastructure. Portage Park, along with the adjacent Jefferson Park, Norwood Park, and Dunning neighborhoods, represents one of Chicago's most extensive 1920s–1940s bungalow district build-outs. The northwest side Chicago bungalow belt (Portage Park–Norwood Park–Dunning corridor) was developed primarily between 1915–1945 as Chicago's Northwest Side Bungalow Historic District — the distribution mains serving these dense bungalow blocks are primarily cast-iron from the 1920s–1940s era. The very hard 241 mg/L reflects the mineral accumulation in this oldest generation of Chicago northwest side infrastructure, substantially harder than the already moderately hard Lincoln Park supply (138.5 mg/L on newer lakefront infrastructure).
At 241 mg/L, Portage Park residents face significant hard water challenges. Scale deposits form rapidly on all fixtures — monthly descaling with citric acid solution is essential maintenance. Chicago DWM consistently delivers water meeting all Illinois EPA and federal EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Lake supply from Lake Michigan via the City of Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM) northwest side distribution — the Chicago northwest side Portage Park–Jefferson Park–Norwood Park neighborhood distribution zone; very hard supply at 241 mg/L — among the hardest in the Chicago northwest side — reflecting the aged northwest side distribution infrastructure dating from Chicago's 1920s–1940s neighborhood build-out.