Hardness
Very Hard
247 PPM · 14.4 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationA source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Cook County.
At a glance
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Hardness
Very Hard
247 PPM · 14.4 GPG
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
0.0054 mg/L
36% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 24,090 people system-wide
Hardness meter
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
247 PPM
Parts per million
247
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
14.4
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 247 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
27
Nearest site
18.9 mi
Observation range
Apr 12, 2016–May 13, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: BIG MARSH AT INDIAN CREEK AT SOUTH DEERING, IL (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Maywood median
247 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 247–247 PPM
Illinois median
285 PPM
38 PPM lower1065 indexed ZIP readings · Range 115–408 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
Lead (PB90)
0.0054 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.
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0054
EPA limit 0.015
100% line = listed limit
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Notice | IL0311830 | Unaddressed | Mar 1, 2026 |
| Lead and Copper RuleHealth-based | IL0311830 | Unaddressed | Aug 31, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL0311830 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Dec 23, 2025 |
| Public Notice | IL0311830 | Unaddressed | Jan 12, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | IL0311830 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Nov 6, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | IL0311830 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Aug 4, 2025 |
| TTHM | IL0311830 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | IL0311830 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL0311830 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2021through Feb 1, 2022 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Matched to Maywood ZIP 60153 using 247 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
247 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
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
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.
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 247 PPM, or 14.4 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
At 247 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.