How does South Holland's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. South Holland (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L harder than average.

South Holland Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

7.6

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

662.6 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.91

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

very hard180+ mg/LVery Hard · est.

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 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In South Holland	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	4.7 yrs	8.5 yrs	-45%
Washing Machine	6.6 yrs	12 yrs	-45%
Water Heater	8.3 yrs	15 yrs	-45%

Regional Water Comparison

How South Holland compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ South Holland, Illinois	≈ 180+ mg/L	7.3 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Dolton, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Harvey, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Riverdale, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Homewood, Illinois	≈ 180+ mg/L	4.3 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river

National Benchmark

How South Holland compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ South Holland	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 High
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes South Holland's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 662.6 mg/LpH: 7.6

South Holland Water Company (or Illinois American Water) provides municipal water to the village of South Holland in Cook County, Illinois, serving approximately 20,000 residents near Chicago. The supply originates from groundwater wells tapping deep aquifers beneath the flat glacial plains of northeastern Illinois. No surface water reservoirs or rivers are used; treatment occurs at local facilities focusing on disinfection and corrosion control. The system serves the Lake Michigan basin influence zone, with recharge areas shaped by Pleistocene ice sheets that deposited thick unconsolidated sands and gravels over Paleozoic sandstones.

The underlying geology features the glacial drift aquifer and the Cambrian-Ordovician sandstone aquifer system. Key formations include the Cambrian Mount Simon Sandstone, the Eau Claire Formation, and the Ironton-Galesville units, which yield mineralized water due to prolonged contact with carbonate-bearing rocks. Limestones, dolomites, and sandstones naturally dissolve calcium and magnesium ions during recharge through glacial till and bedrock, imparting a hard character to the supply. This mineral-rich geology from ancient sedimentary layers contributes to elevated dissolved solids typical of the region.

Very hard water promotes significant scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. White deposits on fixtures and reduced soap lathering are common throughout the household. Regular vinegar cleaning of aerators and periodic flushing of heaters help mitigate buildup; a water softener is strongly recommended for households to prevent long-term damage and improve appliance performance. Water quality meets Safe Drinking Water Act standards with chlorination and fluoride addition. Aggregators flag 8 contaminants above health guidelines, including minor radiologicals from natural aquifer sources; legacy service lines may elevate lead risks, and flushing taps before use is advised.

Geology & Source: Glacial drift aquifer and Cambrian-Ordovician sandstone system — northeastern Illinois; Pleistocene sand and gravel overlying Ironton-Galesville and Mount Simon Sandstone units; limestone and dolomite dissolution produces hard water

Other Illinois Water Reports

Dolton

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Harvey

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Riverdale

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Homewood

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

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All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is South Holland's water safe to drink?

Yes. South Holland's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in South Holland?

At ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), South Holland's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 45%.

How does South Holland compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. South Holland (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L above the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for South Holland is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.