Hardness
Very Hard
274 PPM · 16 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Erie, IL 61250
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Whiteside County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Erie
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Whiteside County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
0 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 1,479 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
274 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
274
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
16
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 274 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
24
Nearest site
18.6 mi
Observation range
May 22, 2017–Oct 25, 2017
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: 081N05E09CAD 1997NAWQA (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 61250 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Erie median
274 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 274–274 PPM
Illinois median
285 PPM
11 PPM lower1065 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 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
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 8
- Health-based
- 2
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | IL1950200 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Public Notice | IL1950200 | Unaddressed | Feb 23, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | IL1950200 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2024 |
| Lead and Copper RuleHealth-based | IL1950200 | Resolved | Apr 2, 2024through Jan 20, 2026 |
| Lead and Copper RuleHealth-based | IL1950200 | Unaddressed | Dec 1, 2023 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | IL1950200 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2023 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL1950200 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2022through Jan 31, 2023 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL1950200 | Resolved | Sep 29, 2021through Oct 18, 2021 |
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 Erie ZIP 61250 using 274 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
274 PPM is 2× 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 systemsDrinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Lead and Copper Rule has a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate 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.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Erie
Is tap water safe in Erie?+
EPA ECHO reports 1 active health-based violation 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 274 PPM, or 16 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 274 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.