Hardness
Very Hard
265 PPM · 15.5 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Kankakee, IL 60901
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Kankakee County.
1 reported benchmark flag
- Primary matched system
- Aqua Illinois-Kankakee
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Kankakee County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.0026 mg/L
17% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 80,000 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
265 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
265
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
15.5
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 265 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
15
Nearest site
28.4 mi
Observation range
Apr 26, 2016–May 13, 2026
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: DES PLAINES RIVER AB CEDAR CR NR MILLSDALE, IL (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 60901 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Kankakee median
265 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 265–265 PPM
Illinois median
285 PPM
20 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 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.0026 mg/L
Reported Jun 30, 2026
Copper (CU90)
3.3 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2019
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0026
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 3.3
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 5
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chloramine | IL0915030 | Resolved | Aug 1, 2025through Aug 31, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | IL0915030 | Resolved | Aug 1, 2025through Aug 31, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL0915030 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Dec 28, 2025 |
| TTHM | IL0915030 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Sep 30, 2024 |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | IL0915030 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Jan 31, 2024 |
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 Kankakee ZIP 60901 using 265 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
265 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
Copper (90th percentile) 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 Kankakee
Is tap water safe in Kankakee?+
EPA ECHO shows no active health-based violation for the associated systems in this reporting snapshot. This does not prove every contaminant is absent; federal records can lag and household plumbing can change tap conditions.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 265 PPM, or 15.5 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 265 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.