Round Lake Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.5 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
365.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.48
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 Round Lake, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Round Lake | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -58% |
| Washing Machine | 6.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -43% |
| Water Heater | 8.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -44% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Round Lake compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Round Lake, Illinois | 180.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Round Lake Beach, Illinois | 180.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Grayslake, Illinois | 118 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Lindenhurst, Illinois | 146 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Wauconda, Illinois | 162.5 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Round Lake compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Round Lake | 180.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Round Lake's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Round Lake, Illinois, in Lake County — a Lake County village adjacent to Round Lake Beach and Wauconda, in the north Lake County lake district of northeast Illinois — receives its municipal water from Illinois American Water or through the Lake County public water supply, drawing from Lake Michigan through the northern Illinois distribution network serving the lake district communities.
The moderately hard 180.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 365.3 mg/L are consistent with the north Lake County Lake Michigan distribution zone — harder than the central Chicago reading (Mount Greenwood: 168 mg/L, TDS 326), possibly reflecting distribution system effects or local groundwater blending in the Round Lake area. All Lake County communities receiving Chicago's Lake Michigan supply share the same source, with the Silurian Niagara Dolomite carbonate platform drainage producing the moderately hard water.
At 180.5 mg/L, Round Lake's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Waukegan industrial port complex (Lake County — former Outboard Marine Corporation PFAS), the Abbott Laboratories North Chicago corridor, and the north Illinois Lake Michigan PFAS background contribute to Round Lake's readings.
Geology & Source: Round Lake in Lake County draws from the Illinois American Water on Lake Michigan via the Lake County public water supply — Lake Michigan receives drainage from the Great Lakes basin (Silurian Niagara Dolomite, calcareous Pleistocene till) — Lake Michigan Silurian dolomite carbonate drainage produces moderately hard water at 180.5 mg/L with TDS 365 mg/L in this Lake County Illinois village.