Hardness
Very Hard
354 PPM · 20.7 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Bloomington, IL 61701
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Mclean County.
2 active health-based violations
- Primary matched system
- Bloomington
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Mclean County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
2 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.0051 mg/L
34% of action level
Utility match
5 systems
Serves 77,610 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
354 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
354
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
20.7
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 354 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
1
Nearest site
49.6 mi
Observation range
Jul 5, 2022–Jul 28, 2025
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: MASON TAZEWELL DRAINAGE D AT CR2350E NR TOPEKA, IL (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 61701 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Bloomington median
354 PPM
About the same3 indexed ZIP readings · Range 354–354 PPM
Illinois median
285 PPM
69 PPM higher1065 indexed ZIP readings · Range 115–408 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass
Lead (PB90)
0.0051 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
1 comparable result
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0051
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 68
- Health-based
- 2
- Active health-based
- 2
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Notice | IL1130210 | Unaddressed | Feb 21, 2026 |
| Public Notice | IL1130210 | Unaddressed | Feb 21, 2026 |
| Public Notice | IL1130080 | Unaddressed | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Public Notice | IL1130080 | Unaddressed | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL1130210 | Unaddressed | Jan 1, 2026 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL1130080 | Unaddressed | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Public Notice | IL1130080 | Unaddressed | Aug 22, 2025 |
| Public Notice | IL1130210 | Unaddressed | Aug 22, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | IL1130200 | Resolved | Jul 2, 2025through Jul 7, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | IL1130080 | Unaddressed | Jul 2, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | IL1135130 | Unaddressed | Jul 2, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | IL1130080 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL1130210 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Chloramine | IL1135130 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Jul 31, 2025 |
| Public Notice | IL1130080 | Resolved | Jan 26, 2025through Jan 23, 2025 |
| Public Notice | IL1130080 | Resolved | Jan 26, 2025through Jan 23, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | IL1130210 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2025through Jan 31, 2025 |
| Chloramine | IL1130210 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2025through Jan 31, 2025 |
| TTHM | IL1130210 | Archived | Jan 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | IL1130210 | Archived | Jan 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Bloomington ZIP 61701 using 354 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
354 PPM is 3× the high-hardness trigger used by this matcher.
Designed to reduce scale on fixtures, water heaters, glassware, and plumbing throughout the home.
Compare whole-house systemsAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in Bloomington
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Bloomington
Is tap water safe in Bloomington?+
EPA ECHO reports 2 active health-based violations among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 354 PPM, or 20.7 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 354 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.