Riverdale Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.2 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
249.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.38
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 Riverdale, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Riverdale | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -42% |
| Washing Machine | 8.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -30% |
| Water Heater | 10 yrs | 15 yrs | -33% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Riverdale compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Riverdale, Illinois | 141 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Dolton, Illinois | 168.5 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Harvey, Illinois | 178 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| South Holland, Illinois | 260.5 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Blue Island, Illinois | 193 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Riverdale compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Riverdale | 141 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Riverdale's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Riverdale, Illinois, in Cook County — a Cook County village adjacent to Harvey and Calumet City in the south Chicago metro — receives its water from Illinois American Water, drawing from Lake Michigan (Cook County) through the south Chicago metro distribution.
The moderately hard 141 mg/L hardness and TDS of 249.1 mg/L reflect the south Chicago metro Cook County Lake Michigan supply's moderate calcareous character — consistent with the Lake Michigan supply communities (Richton Park IL: 129 mg/L; La Grange Park: 247.5 mg/L on deep dolomite blend) as the Great Lakes supply accumulates moderate calcareous dissolution from the Silurian Niagaran dolomite glacial outwash across the eastern Great Lakes watershed. The Lake Michigan-Cook County supply — Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Pleistocene calcareous glacial outwash (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Ordovician Galena Dolomite (dolomitic — minor contributor from deep drainage).
At 141 mg/L, Riverdale'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 5.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Cook County south Chicago industrial-Calumet corridor contribute to Riverdale's readings.
Geology & Source: Riverdale in Cook County draws from the Illinois American Water on Lake Michigan (Cook County, south Chicago metro, Illinois) — Lake Michigan at Cook County draws from Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (dolomitic) glacial outwash through the western Great Lakes watershed — Illinois Cook County Lake Michigan Silurian-Pleistocene dolomitic supply produces moderately hard water at 141 mg/L with TDS 249.1 mg/L.