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

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

Zion 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

0.009 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

745.1 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 Zion, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Zion	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 Zion compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Zion, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Beach Park, Illinois	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	river
Waukegan, Illinois	130 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Gurnee, Illinois	146.5 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
North Chicago, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Zion compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Zion	≈ 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 Zion's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 745.1 mg/LpH: 8.5

The City of Zion, Illinois (population 23,296) purchases all of its drinking water from the Lake County Public Water District (LCPWD), a regional utility serving Lake County, located north of Chicago along Lake Michigan. The primary water source is Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes and a major freshwater reservoir for the region. Treatment and distribution of the finished water are managed entirely by LCPWD, with local system operations overseen by the City of Zion's Department of Public Works.

Zion's water supply originates in the Lake Michigan watershed, a glacially-carved basin formed during the Pleistocene epoch. The surrounding geology includes Precambrian crystalline bedrock and Paleozoic carbonate formations — primarily Ordovician dolomite and limestone — underlying much of northern Illinois. Although Lake Michigan itself is naturally soft due to its glacial origin and large freshwater volume, the water may acquire hardness through treatment processes, blending with groundwater sources, or contact with regional carbonate aquifers managed by LCPWD prior to delivery to Zion.

Zion's water supply is classified as hard, containing elevated dissolved calcium and magnesium. Residents may experience scale buildup in kettles, coffee makers, and water heaters; reduced soap and detergent effectiveness; and staining on fixtures and glassware. A point-of-use or whole-house water softener is recommended, particularly for appliances using hot water frequently. Regular descaling extends appliance lifespan. The City of Zion's 2023 Water Quality Report confirms compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act standards; customers concerned about lead should contact the Superintendent of Operations.

Geology & Source: Lake Michigan watershed; Pleistocene glacially-carved basin draining Precambrian bedrock and Ordovician dolomite and limestone — hardness acquired through LCPWD treatment or contact with regional carbonate aquifers

Other Illinois Water Reports

Beach Park

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Waukegan

130 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Gurnee

146.5 mg/L

🟠 Hard

North Chicago

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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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 Zion's water safe to drink?

Yes. Zion'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 Zion?

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

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