The Village of Algonquin, IL

The Village monitors the water hardness of its wells in order to help residents determine the proper settings for water softeners. Residents may check the specific level of hardness on the Water Hardness Map. The hardness levels indicated on this map are generalized according to the well with the hardest water servicing each area, which is a worst-case scenario. Exact water hardness may vary. Below is a detailed explanation of water hardness. Feel free to contact the Public Works Department at (847) 658-2700 or jasonschutz@algonquin.org with questions or for additional information on water hardness.

More Information on Water Hardness

Hard water is a very common occurrence, affecting water in more than 85% of the country. Because more than 60% of the earth’s water is groundwater, it travels through rock and soil, picking up minerals, including calcium and magnesium, along the way. These minerals produce what is commonly referred to as “hardness” in water. Generally, hardness is measured in grains per gallon (gpg), parts per million (ppm), or milligrams per liter (mg/l).

1 gpg = 17.1 ppm
1 ppm = 1 mg/l

Almost all of Illinois has hard or very hard water, which means the water contains a high degree of the calcium and magnesium mineral ions. It is evident in homes as shown by crusty deposits around faucets, film on glasses, bathtub rings and sticky soap residue that is difficult to rinse out of clothes (some detergents include water softening agents to counteract hard water). Following is a chart that shows ranges of water hardness, as provided by the University of Illinois Extension Office.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes standards for drinking water that fall into two categories—Primary Standards and Secondary Standards. Primary Standards are based on health considerations, and Secondary Standards are based on aesthetics such as taste, odor, color or corrosivity. There is no Primary or Secondary standard for water hardness. 

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