Vernon Hills Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
16.2 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
732 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.74
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 Vernon Hills, your appliances are currently losing 37% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Vernon Hills | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -72% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Vernon Hills compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Vernon Hills, Illinois | 276.5 mg/L | 9.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Mundelein, Illinois | 188.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Libertyville, Illinois | 126.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Buffalo Grove, Illinois | 248 mg/L | 8.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Wheeling, Illinois | 204.5 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Vernon Hills compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Vernon Hills | 276.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Vernon Hills's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Vernon Hills, Illinois, in Lake County — a major north Chicago suburban community (Vernon Hills is a significant Lake County village — a north Chicago suburb adjacent to Mundelein and Libertyville; Vernon Hills is one of the most important north Chicago suburban retail and employment destinations (the Hawthorn Mall (the largest mall in the northern Lake County corridor) and the Vernon Hills area along Route 45 and Milwaukee Avenue is a major north suburban Chicago retail and commercial hub); Vernon Hills is also a significant corporate employment community (the Vernon Hills–Libertyville–Lake Forest corridor in north Lake County has a significant concentration of corporate headquarters and research facilities — major companies including Medline Industries and Panduit have headquarters in the Vernon Hills area)); Vernon Hills is known as one of the most planned and attractive north suburban communities in the Chicago metropolitan area, a diverse Lake County community with a primarily Indian-American, Korean-American, and middle-class to upper-middle-class suburban family population — draws its municipal water supply from Lake Michigan via the Central Lake County JAWA. Water hardness in Vernon Hills measures 276.5 mg/L — classified as very hard.
Vernon Hills's very hard supply reflects the north Chicago Lake County Lake Michigan corridor's calcareous character. The Lake Michigan water carries dissolved carbonates from the Great Lakes basin, and limited softening produces the very hard 276.5 mg/L.
At 276.5 mg/L, Vernon Hills residents face significant hard water challenges. Regular water softeners and descaling are strongly recommended. Central Lake County JAWA consistently delivers water meeting all Illinois EPA and federal EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Lake supply from the Lake Michigan via the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency — the Lake County north Chicago suburban Vernon Hills corridor (Silurian calcareous Niagaran Dolomite — the calcareous north Chicago Lake County Lake Michigan corridor; limited softening); very hard at 276.5 mg/L in Lake County.