Water softeners and filtration in Chicago, IL

What does Chicago Department of Water Management publish about Chicago water?

The Chicago Department of Water Management draws water from Lake Michigan and treats it at two plants. The newest hardness figures the city has published are from 2014.

• The city's water quality reports for 2017 and 2021 through 2024 list no hardness figure, and its newer chemical analyses would not load for us, so the 2014 analysis is the newest published number we found.
• The 2014 figures cover raw and treated samples from both plants together.

What does 129 to 158 mg/L mean for a Chicago home?

129 to 158 mg/L is about 7.5 to 9.2 grains per gallon. The low end, 129 mg/L, is 51 mg/L under the 180 mg/L top of the USGS hard class; Chicago's high end, 158 mg/L, is 22 mg/L under the 180 mg/L top of the USGS hard class. (USGS hardness classes)

Which systems fit Chicago water?

How does a Chicago quote work?

1. Send a request from one of the 56 Chicago ZIP codes listed below.
2. An assessment at your home, where your tap can be checked against Chicago Department of Water Management's published 129 to 158 mg/L.
3. You get a written quote listing what is included.
4. Installation and service by that company.

Common questions

How hard is the water in Chicago?

Hardness as CaCO3, quarterly samples at both plants reported by Chicago Department of Water Management: 129 to 158 mg/L (Three 2014 quarterly samplings (March, June and August 2014)).

Is Chicago water hard or soft?

Hard. The low end, 129 mg/L, is 51 mg/L under the 180 mg/L top of the USGS hard class; Chicago's high end, 158 mg/L, is 22 mg/L under the 180 mg/L top of the USGS hard class.

How many grains per gallon is Chicago water?

The utility publishes hardness in mg/L, not grains. The published 129 to 158 mg/L is about 7.5 to 9.2 grains per gallon, converted by us at 17.1 mg/L per grain.

Where does Chicago tap water come from?

Chicago draws Lake Michigan water through offshore intakes to two plants: Jardine serves the north side and Sawyer the south side. Source: Chicago 2024 Water Quality Report.

Is Chicago water treated with chlorine or chloramine?

Chicago lists chlorine as its drinking water disinfectant. Source: Chicago 2024 Water Quality Report. A softener does not remove it.

Do I need a water softener in Chicago?

Chicago Department of Water Management publishes 129 to 158 mg/L for Chicago, which reads as hard. A test at your house shows whether your tap matches it.

Is the water the same in every Chicago home?

Chicago Department of Water Management publishes one figure for its whole system (Three 2014 quarterly samplings (March, June and August 2014)).

How much does a water softener cost in Chicago?

We publish no prices for Chicago. The installing company gives a written quote after an assessment at your home.

Who installs the system?

We have not named a local installing company for Chicago yet. We will tell you the company's name and ask you before your request is shared with anyone.

Is Chicago Water Systems part of the city or the water utility?

No. Chicago Water Systems is not affiliated with Chicago Department of Water Management; it copies and links the published figures.

Is booking an assessment a purchase?

No, and a request commits you to nothing.

Which ZIP codes does this page cover?

60601, 60602, 60603, 60604, 60605, 60606, 60607, 60608, 60609, 60610, 60611, 60612, 60613, 60614, 60615, 60616, 60617, 60618, 60619, 60620, 60621, 60622, 60623, 60624, 60625, 60626, 60628, 60629, 60630, 60631, 60632, 60633, 60634, 60636, 60637, 60638, 60639, 60640, 60641, 60642, 60643, 60644, 60645, 60646, 60647, 60649, 60651, 60652, 60653, 60654, 60655, 60656, 60657, 60659, 60660, 60661

Compare published hardness in other cities on hard water by city.

Machine-readable facts: water.json. Summary for AI assistants: llms.txt.