Troy Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · 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
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.
| Appliance | In Troy | Soft Water City | Efficiency 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
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Troy, Illinois | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Glen Carbon, Illinois | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 53.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Edwardsville, Illinois | 206 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Collinsville, Illinois | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 123.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| O'Fallon, Illinois | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 46.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Troy compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Troy | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Troy's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
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
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Troy's water safe to drink?
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How does Troy compare to the USA average?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.