West Garfield Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.7 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
371.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.49
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 West Garfield Park, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In West Garfield Park | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -58% |
| Washing Machine | 6.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -43% |
| Water Heater | 8.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -45% |
Regional Water Comparison
How West Garfield Park compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ West Garfield Park, Illinois | 182.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| North Lawndale, Illinois | 242.5 mg/L | 8.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| East Garfield Park, Illinois | 204.5 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| South Lawndale, Illinois | 262 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Cicero, Illinois | 210.5 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How West Garfield Park compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ West Garfield Park | 182.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes West Garfield Park's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
West Garfield Park, Illinois, in Cook County — a Cook County neighborhood on the west side of Chicago adjacent to East Garfield Park and Austin — receives its municipal water from the Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM), drawing from Lake Michigan at the Chicago cribs intake (Cook County) through the Chicago filtration system.
The hard 182.5 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 371.5 mg/L are consistent with the Chicago Lake Michigan supply (Chicago: typically 150-180 mg/L across different measurement periods). Lake Michigan receives the Great Lakes basin drainage — Silurian Niagara Dolomite (the dominant Midwest carbonate platform from Indiana-Ohio-Ontario), calcareous Pleistocene Michigan Lobe till (ground-up dolomite and limestone), and the St. Lawrence basin calcareous drainage. The Silurian Niagara Dolomite underlies essentially all of northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.
At 182.5 mg/L, West Garfield Park's water is hard — scale builds steadily in kettles and appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and water heaters should be descaled annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 6.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the West Side Chicago industrial corridor, the Lake Michigan PFAS accumulation from multi-state Great Lakes drainage, and the north Illinois PFAS background contribute to West Garfield Park's readings.
Geology & Source: West Garfield Park in Cook County draws from Chicago Department of Water Management on Lake Michigan (Cook County, northeastern Illinois) — Lake Michigan receives Great Lakes drainage (Silurian Niagara Dolomite, calcareous Pleistocene Michigan Lobe till) — Illinois Lake Michigan Silurian dolomite carbonate drainage produces hard water at 182.5 mg/L with TDS 371.5 mg/L in this Cook County Illinois neighborhood.