Hardness
Very Hard
254 PPM · 14.9 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in North Chicago, IL 60064
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Lake County.
2 reported benchmark flags
- Primary matched system
- Great Lakes Naval Training Station
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Lake 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 23,000 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
254 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
254
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
14.9
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 254 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
29
Nearest site
21.4 mi
Observation range
Apr 12, 2016–Apr 22, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: NIPPERSINK CREEK NEAR SPRING GROVE, IL (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 60064 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
North Chicago median
254 PPM
About the same2 indexed ZIP readings · Range 254–254 PPM
Illinois median
285 PPM
31 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 pass2 fail
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Jun 30, 2026
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
3 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
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
Measured in UG/L
Local 8
EPA limit 0.006
TTHM
Measured in MG/L
Local 0.083
EPA limit 0.08
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 6
- Health-based
- 2
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL0971250 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Dec 10, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | IL0971250 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Public Notice | IL0971250 | Resolved | Jun 20, 2024through Jun 20, 2024 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalateHealth-basedReported 8 UG/L · MCL 0.006 | IL0971250 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Jun 30, 2024 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL0971250 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2023through Feb 28, 2024 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 0.083 MG/L · MCL 0.08 | IL0971250 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2023through Jun 30, 2023 |
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 North Chicago ZIP 60064 using 254 PPM nearby hardness and 3 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
254 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
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, TTHM have 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.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in North Chicago
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for North Chicago
Is tap water safe in North Chicago?+
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 254 PPM, or 14.9 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 254 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.