Richton Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.5 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
217.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.34
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 Richton Park, your appliances are currently losing 17% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Richton Park | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -38% |
| Washing Machine | 8.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -27% |
| Water Heater | 10.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -31% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Richton Park compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Richton Park, Illinois | 129 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Matteson, Illinois | 248.5 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Park Forest, Illinois | 157.5 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Chicago Heights, Illinois | 169.5 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Homewood, Illinois | 253.5 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Richton Park compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Richton Park | 129 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Richton Park home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Richton Park's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Richton Park, Illinois, in Cook County — a Cook County village adjacent to Matteson and Park Forest in the south Chicago suburb — receives its water from Illinois American Water, drawing from Lake Michigan (Cook County) through the south Chicago metro distribution.
The moderately hard 129 mg/L hardness and TDS of 217.7 mg/L reflect the northeast Illinois Cook County Lake Michigan supply's moderate dolomitic character — consistent with other south Cook County Lake Michigan communities, slightly harder than the raw Lake Michigan supply due to the extended distribution network through south suburban Cook County. The Lake Michigan at Cook County draws from — Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (dolomitic — primary hardness contributor from the Great Lakes carbonate platform), Precambrian Canadian Shield (insoluble — dilutant from upper Great Lakes), and the Chicago Deep Tunnel MWRD treatment blend.
At 129 mg/L, Richton Park's 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 4.6 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Cook County south Chicago industrial corridor and Glenview Naval Air Station (Cook County — former AFFF) contribute to Richton Park's readings.
Geology & Source: Richton Park in Cook County draws from the Illinois American Water on Lake Michigan (Cook County, northeast Illinois) — Lake Michigan at Cook County draws from Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (dolomitic) via the Chicago metropolitan water system — Illinois Cook County Lake Michigan Silurian dolomitic Chicago metropolitan supply produces moderately hard water at 129 mg/L with TDS 217.7 mg/L.