Swansea Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.7 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
554.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.62
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 Swansea, your appliances are currently losing 31% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Swansea | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -78% |
| Washing Machine | 4.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -59% |
| Water Heater | 6.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -59% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Swansea compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Swansea, Illinois | 234 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Belleville, Illinois | 111.5 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Fairview Heights, Illinois | 236 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Shiloh, Illinois | 155.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| O'Fallon, Illinois | 239.5 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Swansea compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Swansea | 234 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Swansea's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Swansea, Illinois, in Saint Clair County — a Saint Clair County village adjacent to Belleville and O'Fallon in the east St. Louis metro area — receives its water from Illinois American Water, drawing from the Mississippi River (Saint Clair County) through the east St. Louis metro distribution.
The very hard 234 mg/L hardness and TDS of 554.3 mg/L reflect the southwest Illinois Saint Clair County Mississippi River supply's very hard calcareous character — reflecting the Mississippi River's integration of dissolved carbonates from the Ozark Plateau dolomite and calcareous Midwestern glacial till, typical of the east St. Louis metro communities drawing from the Mississippi (compare Swansea to Riverdale IL at 141 mg/L on Lake Michigan supply). The Mississippi River at Saint Clair County — Ordovician Gasconade Dolomite (dolomitic — primary hardness contributor via Ozark drainage), Mississippian Warsaw Formation (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary calcareous glacial outwash (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 234 mg/L with TDS 554, Swansea's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended to prevent rapid scale buildup in appliances. A reverse osmosis system is advisable for drinking water. The PFAS level of 8.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Scott Air Force Base (Saint Clair County — AFFF) and the east St. Louis industrial corridor contribute to Swansea's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Swansea in Saint Clair County draws from Illinois American Water on the Mississippi River (Saint Clair County, southwest Illinois) — the Mississippi at Saint Clair County drains the Ozark Plateau (Ordovician Gasconade Dolomite — dolomitic) and calcareous glacial till — Illinois Saint Clair County Mississippi River Ordovician dolomitic supply produces very hard water at 234 mg/L with TDS 554.3 mg/L.