Hardness
Very Hard
286 PPM · 16.7 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Potomac, IL 61865
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Vermilion County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Potomac
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Vermilion 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 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 685 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
286 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
286
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
16.7
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 286 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
50
Nearest site
21.1 mi
Observation range
Jul 17, 2017–Aug 12, 2025
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: 21N9E-05.1a (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 61865 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Potomac median
286 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 286–286 PPM
Illinois median
285 PPM
About the same1065 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 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.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 11
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL1830650 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2025through Dec 30, 2025 |
| Public Notice | IL1830650 | Unaddressed | Aug 22, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | IL1830650 | Unaddressed | Jul 2, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | IL1830650 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | IL1830650 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2022through Jun 22, 2023 |
| Public Notice | IL1830650 | Resolved | Apr 14, 2022through Jun 13, 2022 |
| Public Notice | IL1830650 | Resolved | Apr 14, 2022through Jun 13, 2022 |
| Public Notice | IL1830650 | Resolved | Oct 22, 2021through Jul 16, 2025 |
| Chlorine | IL1830650 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2021through Sep 30, 2021 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | IL1830650 | Resolved | Mar 1, 2021through Mar 31, 2021 |
| Chlorine | IL1830650 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2021through Mar 31, 2021 |
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 Potomac ZIP 61865 using 286 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
286 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 Potomac
Is tap water safe in Potomac?+
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 286 PPM, or 16.7 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 286 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.