Hardness
Very Hard
325 PPM · 19 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Ridge Farm, IL 61870
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
- Ridge Farm
- 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
2 systems
Serves 973 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
325 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
325
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
19
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 325 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
34
Nearest site
37.7 mi
Observation range
Mar 30, 2016–Sep 2, 2025
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: NAWQA AG WELL TP15 AT MORTON, IN (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 61870 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Ridge Farm median
325 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 325–325 PPM
Illinois median
285 PPM
40 PPM higher1065 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 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
1.5 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2010
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
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 1.5
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 8
- Health-based
- 2
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | IL1835050 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Nov 4, 2025 |
| Public Notice | IL1835050 | Resolved | Feb 23, 2025through Jun 23, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | IL1835050 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Nov 4, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper RuleHealth-based | IL1835050 | Resolved | Apr 2, 2024through Jun 4, 2025 |
| TTHM | IL1830750 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | IL1830750 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Lead and Copper RuleHealth-based | IL1835050 | Unaddressed | Dec 1, 2023 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL1835050 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2023through Mar 11, 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 Ridge Farm ZIP 61870 using 325 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
325 PPM is 3× 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 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 Ridge Farm
Is tap water safe in Ridge Farm?+
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 325 PPM, or 19 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 325 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.