Hardness
Very Hard
245.5 PPM · 14.4 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Panama, IL 62077
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Montgomery County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Panama
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Montgomery 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
0.003 mg/L
20% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 343 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
245.5 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
245.5
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
14.4
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 245.5 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
4
Nearest site
37.5 mi
Observation range
Jan 6, 2016–Jun 9, 2026
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: Mississippi River Pool Lock and Dam 26 at Alton,IL (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 62077 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Panama median
246 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 245.5–245.5 PPM
Illinois median
285 PPM
39 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)
0.003 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2024
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 0.003
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 7
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL0054720 | Unaddressed | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Public Notice | IL0054720 | Unaddressed | Aug 22, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | IL0054720 | Unaddressed | Jul 2, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | IL0054720 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | IL0054720 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | IL0054720 | Resolved | Dec 3, 2023through Jul 11, 2024 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL0054720 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2022through Jan 11, 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 Panama ZIP 62077 using 245.5 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
245.5 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 REVISIONS 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 Panama
Is tap water safe in Panama?+
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 245.5 PPM, or 14.4 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 245.5 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.