Hardness
Very Hard
254 PPM · 14.9 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Sparta, IL 62286
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Randolph County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Sparta
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Randolph 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
6.0e-4 mg/L
4% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 4,395 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
21
Nearest site
28.7 mi
Observation range
Jan 5, 2016–Jun 9, 2026
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: South Fork Saline Creek near Perryville, MO (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 62286 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Sparta median
254 PPM
About the same1 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 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
6.0e-4 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 6.0e-4
EPA limit 0.015
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Measured in MG/L
Local 0.067
EPA limit 0.06
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 10
- Health-based
- 2
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL1570600 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2025through Sep 23, 2024 |
| Public Notice | IL1570600 | Resolved | Aug 22, 2025through Oct 23, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | IL1570600 | Unaddressed | Jul 2, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | IL1570600 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | IL1570600 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2023through Jul 3, 2024 |
| Chloramine | IL1570600 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2023through Jun 28, 2023 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | IL1570600 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2022through Jul 31, 2022 |
| Chloramine | IL1570600 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2022through Aug 26, 2022 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL1570600 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2021through Jan 14, 2022 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 0.067 MG/L · MCL 0.06 | IL1570600 | 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 Sparta ZIP 62286 using 254 PPM nearby hardness and 2 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
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), 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 Sparta
Is tap water safe in Sparta?+
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 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.