Hardness
Very Hard
311 PPM · 18.2 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Lincoln, IL 62656
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Logan County.
1 reported benchmark flag
- Primary matched system
- Il American-Lincoln
- Source water
- Groundwater influenced by surface water + Groundwater
- County
- Logan 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 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
2 systems
Serves 15,200 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
311 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
311
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
18.2
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 311 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
3
Nearest site
31.7 mi
Observation range
Feb 29, 2016–Jun 1, 2026
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 62656 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Lincoln median
311 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 311–311 PPM
Illinois median
285 PPM
26 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 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
1.619 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2023
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
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 1.619
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 1
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | IL1075030 | Resolved | Mar 1, 2024through Mar 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 Lincoln ZIP 62656 using 311 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
311 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 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 Lincoln
Is tap water safe in Lincoln?+
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 311 PPM, or 18.2 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 311 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.