Hardness
Very Hard
245.5 PPM · 14.4 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Vandalia, IL 62471
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Fayette County.
1 reported benchmark flag
- Primary matched system
- Vandalia
- Source water
- Surface water + Groundwater
- County
- Fayette County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.0033 mg/L
22% of action level
Utility match
2 systems
Serves 7,616 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
245.5 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
245.5
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
14.4
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 245.5 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
2
Nearest site
56.9 mi
Observation range
Jan 6, 2016–Jun 9, 2026
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: Mississippi River Pool Lock and Dam 26 at Alton,IL (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 62471 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Vandalia median
246 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 245.5–245.5 PPM
Illinois median
285 PPM
39 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)
0.0033 mg/L
Reported Jun 30, 2026
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 0.0033
EPA limit 0.015
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Measured in MG/L
Local 0.062
EPA limit 0.06
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 5
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | IL0510350 | Unaddressed | Jul 2, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | IL0510350 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Dec 10, 2025 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 0.062 MG/L · MCL 0.06 | IL0510350 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Sep 30, 2024 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | IL0510350 | Resolved | Feb 8, 2024through Apr 24, 2024 |
| Toxaphene | IL0510350 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2023through Jun 30, 2023 |
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 Vandalia ZIP 62471 using 245.5 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
245.5 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) 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 Vandalia
Is tap water safe in Vandalia?+
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.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 245.5 PPM, or 14.4 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 245.5 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.