Hardness
Very Hard
271 PPM · 15.8 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Prophetstown, IL 61277
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Whiteside County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Prophetstown
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Whiteside 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
0.0082 mg/L
55% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 2,100 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
271 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
271
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
15.8
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 271 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
22
Nearest site
26.8 mi
Observation range
May 22, 2017–Oct 25, 2017
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: 15N 5E- 4.3c1 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 61277 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Prophetstown median
271 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 271–271 PPM
Illinois median
285 PPM
14 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 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.0082 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
2.55 mg/L
Reported Sep 30, 1993
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0082
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 2.55
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 3
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | IL1950400 | Unaddressed | Jul 2, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL1950400 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2025through Dec 26, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | IL1950400 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 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 Prophetstown ZIP 61277 using 271 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
271 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
Copper (90th percentile), LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS 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.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Prophetstown
Is tap water safe in Prophetstown?+
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 271 PPM, or 15.8 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 271 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.