South Holland Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
15.2 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
662.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.69
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 South Holland, your appliances are currently losing 35% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In South Holland | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4 yrs | 12 yrs | -67% |
| Water Heater | 5.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -65% |
Regional Water Comparison
How South Holland compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ South Holland, Illinois | 260.5 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Dolton, Illinois | 168.5 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Harvey, Illinois | 178 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Riverdale, Illinois | 141 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Homewood, Illinois | 253.5 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How South Holland compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ South Holland | 260.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes South Holland's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
South Holland, Illinois, in Cook County — a historically Dutch-American south suburban Cook County community south of Harvey along the Tri-State Tollway corridor — receives its municipal water from Illinois American Water or the Village of South Holland Utilities, which draws from a combination of Lake Michigan water and local Calumet River corridor supply sources in the southern Cook County distribution network. South Holland occupies a supply zone where the south suburban Chicago water system may blend Lake Michigan with local carbonate-rich sources.
The very hard 260.5 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 662.6 mg/L are dramatically harder than the DuPage County Lake Michigan supply (Darien 128.5 mg/L), reflecting either a substantial local Calumet River or southern Cook County groundwater component or an aging southern Cook County distribution system with significant mineral accumulation. The Calumet River and the south Cook County subsurface overlie the Silurian Niagara Dolomite reef platform — the same ancient Silurian marine dolomite producing very hard water throughout the northern Illinois dolomite plain. Local groundwater from the Silurian dolomite aquifer in south Cook County produces significantly harder water than the Lake Michigan supply, and any blending or local groundwater contribution substantially increases the delivered hardness in the South Holland distribution zone.
At 260.5 mg/L, South Holland residents face very hard water. Scale builds rapidly in kettles and coffee machines within weeks, dishwashers require rinse aid or softener treatment, and bathroom fixtures develop heavy calcium deposits. Descaling appliances every four to six weeks is the practical cadence. A whole-house water softener is strongly recommended. The elevated PFAS level of 9.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the south Cook County industrial corridor along the Calumet River, the Southeast Side Chicago steel and heavy manufacturing complex (former US Steel South Works, Republic Steel), and the broader Chicago-Gary industrial region contribute to serious PFAS contamination in the South Holland supply area.
Geology & Source: South Holland in Cook County draws from Illinois American Water or local supply treating the Calumet River or south suburban Cook County groundwater — the Calumet watershed drains the Silurian Niagara Dolomite reef platform of the Chicago southland — Silurian dolomite groundwater and Calumet River dolomite carbonate drainage produces very hard water at 260.5 mg/L with elevated TDS 663 mg/L in this south Cook County community.