How does Worth's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Worth (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Worth Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

8.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

686 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 Worth, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Worth	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 Worth compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Worth, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Palos Hills, Illinois	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	river
Chicago Ridge, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Palos Heights, Illinois	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	river
Oak Lawn, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Worth compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Worth	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

Bring Scarsdale-quality water to your Worth home

Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →

Shop Now

What Makes Worth's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 686 mg/LpH: 8.5

The Village of Worth, Illinois, provides water to residents in the south suburban Chicago area of Cook County. Its supply comes from deep groundwater sources that tap into the regional aquifer system. Standard treatment processes, including clarification and chlorination, are employed before distribution, as detailed in the Village's annual drinking water quality reports submitted to the Illinois EPA. The water originates from the Ordovician and Silurian carbonate aquifer system beneath the Chicago region.

This geological environment, defined by Paleozoic Era dolomite and limestone formations, naturally imbues the water with high levels of calcium and magnesium ions. The combination of glacial drift and bedrock geology in the area yields a moderately mineralized supply, consistent with groundwater systems found throughout northeastern Illinois.

Homeowners in Worth often notice the effects of moderately hard water, such as scale buildup in appliances like water heaters, diminished lathering from soaps, and mineral spots on fixtures and glassware. For those prioritizing appliance longevity and easier cleaning, installing a water softener is a common recommendation. Routine maintenance for hot water heaters and occasional descaling of faucets and showerheads can also help manage mineral deposits. The Village publishes annual Consumer Confidence Reports detailing water quality, including recent measurements for bromide and total organic carbon.

Geology & Source: Ordovician and Silurian dolomite and limestone formations; carbonate aquifers rich in dissolved calcium and magnesium produce moderate hardness

Other Illinois Water Reports

Palos Hills

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Chicago Ridge

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Palos Heights

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Oak Lawn

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Worth's water safe to drink?

Yes. Worth'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 Worth?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Worth'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 Worth compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Worth (≈ 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 Worth 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

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.