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Troy Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.6

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

705 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · 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 Troy, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn TroySoft Water CityEfficiency Loss
Kettle
6.8 yrs
8.5 yrs-20%
Washing Machine
9.6 yrs
12 yrs-20%
Water Heater
12 yrs
15 yrs-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Troy compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Troy, Illinois≈ 120–179 mg/L3.9 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Glen Carbon, Illinois≈ 180+ mg/L53.3 ppt🔴 Very Hardriver
Edwardsville, Illinois206 mg/L6.9 ppt🔴 Very Hardgroundwater
Collinsville, Illinois≈ 180+ mg/L123.9 ppt🔴 Very Hardgroundwater
O'Fallon, Illinois≈ 120–179 mg/L46.9 ppt🟠 Hardriver

National Benchmark

How Troy compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Troy≈ 120–179 mg/L🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Troy's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 705 mg/LpH: 7.6

The City of Troy Water Department provides drinking water to about 15,311 residents in Troy, Illinois. Their municipal system relies entirely on groundwater, drawing from four wells situated west of Collinsville in Madison County. This supply originates from the region's glacial and bedrock aquifer systems. The City of Troy Water Department is committed to meeting Safe Drinking Water Act standards and publishes annual Consumer Confidence Reports. You can reach them at 116 E. Market Street, Troy, IL 62294, or by phone at (618) 667-9924.

The groundwater tapped by Troy's wells filters through Paleozoic-era limestone and dolomite formations, spanning the Ordovician through Devonian periods. These rock types are known for their solubility, meaning they easily dissolve and release minerals like calcium and magnesium into the water. This geological characteristic is common throughout southwestern Illinois and is the direct cause of the naturally hard water supplied to the community.

Homeowners in Troy might notice scale accumulating in appliances, pipes, and fixtures due to the water's hardness. This mineral buildup can reduce the efficiency of soaps and detergents and potentially shorten the lifespan of appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. To combat these effects, many residents opt for water softening systems, either whole-house or point-of-use. Routine maintenance for water heaters and occasional pipe flushing can also help manage mineral deposits. While the water meets all EPA standards with no violations, the utility advises flushing taps for a minute or two after water has been idle to minimize any potential lead exposure from household plumbing.

Geology & Source: Paleozoic limestone and dolomite; readily soluble, producing hard water

Other Illinois Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Troy's water safe to drink?
Yes. Troy's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in Troy?
At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Troy'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 20%.
How does Troy compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Troy (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Troy 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

pH

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.