Hardness
Very Hard
265 PPM · 15.5 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationA source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Cook County.
At a glance
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Hardness
Very Hard
265 PPM · 15.5 GPG
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 56,703 people system-wide
Hardness meter
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
265 PPM
Parts per million
265
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
15.5
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 265 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
17
Nearest site
14.5 mi
Observation range
Apr 22, 2016–May 13, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: DES PLAINES RIVER AT ROCKDALE, IL (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Tinley Park median
265 PPM
About the same2 indexed ZIP readings · Range 265–265 PPM
Illinois median
285 PPM
20 PPM lower1065 indexed ZIP readings · Range 115–408 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
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.
Measured in mg/L
Local 0
EPA limit 0.015
100% line = listed limit
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | IL0314910 | Resolved | Jul 2, 2025through Jul 2, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | IL0314910 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL0314910 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2024through Jun 6, 2025 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Matched to Tinley Park ZIP 60487 using 265 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
265 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 systemsAffiliate 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.
Nearby indexed reports
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
EPA ECHO shows no active health-based violation for the associated systems in this reporting snapshot. This does not prove every contaminant is absent; federal records can lag and household plumbing can change tap conditions.
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 265 PPM, or 15.5 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
At 265 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.