Water hardness refers to the amount of dissolved and concentrated minerals – especially calcium and magnesium – in your water in Oswego, Yorkville, Plano, Sugar Grove or Montgomery (IL). These minerals are a natural by-product of the water’s movement through geographical formations, aquifers and underground sources.
In Illinois, municipalities draw their water from varying supplies such as rivers, groundwater, reservoirs and Lake Michigan. A location’s water hardness is measured by its concentration of calcium carbonate or equivalents for a given unit, such as grains per gallon (gpg) or milligrams per liter (mg/L, also labeled as ppm, or parts per million).
Using grains per gallon (gpg), water hardness on a scale is classified as follows:
| Concentration | Water Hardness | Qualities |
| 0–1 gpg | Soft | gentle on skin, less soap usage, longer appliance life |
| 2–4 gpg | Moderately Hard | occasional scale buildup, may need more soap for cleaning |
| 5–9 gpg | Hard | increased soap scum, mineral deposits, shorter appliance life, less-comfortable bathing |
| 14.7+ gpg | Very Hard | major scale buildup, less-effective soap, high appliance maintenance |
As the table indicates, increasing water hardness becomes less favorable to personal care and hygiene, the longevity of water-using appliances, the amount of soap and detergent needed for cleaning and the ability of plumbing to maintain proper water flow.
With an average hardness of 11.7 gpg, Illinois is classified as a hard-water state. Within that context, here are some of our local water-hardness ratings:
| Oswego | 13.3 gpg | Hard |
| Naperville | 8 gpg | Hard |
| Aurora | 7.7 gpg | Hard |
| Plainfield | 6.3 gpg | Hard |
Here in the region, some neighborhoods have faced a depleting aquifer and, in some cases, have had to switch municipal sources. A depleting aquifer will increase water’s hardness as it pulls more minerals from the lower water table.
“Rotten Egg” Water in Oswego, Yorkville, Plano, Sugar Grove, Montgomery (IL)
Some water in Oswego, Yorkville, Plano, Sugar Grove and Montgomery also can smell like rotten eggs, particularly if it is well water. This “egg” water is caused by elevated levels of sulfur bacteria and hydrogen sulfide gas that develop when water has contact with certain kinds of minerals or organic matter.
A rotten-egg quality is less common in city water than in well water because city water is typically treated with chlorine to kill the organisms. Sulfur bacteria typically do not pose a direct hazard, but they do promote the growth of materials that can become problematic, such as iron that can clog well and plumbing systems.
Frequent contact with high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide gas can threaten personal health. Levels that meet or exceed 100 parts per million (ppm) may cause sickness or even death. The average levels found in well water for homes are usually 1–5 ppm. While not lethal, repeated exposure to even these low concentrations can result in headaches, fatigue, insomnia, eye inflammation and digestive unrest.
Drinking Water in Oswego, Yorkville, Plano, Sugar Grove, Montgomery (IL)
Beyond what we’ve discussed is the all-important subject of drinking water. We all need to drink water, and when we do, we want it to be of good quality. Water hardness influences the taste, look and smell of water we drink from a faucet.
Other factors that can affect our drinking water – as well as our water for bathing, cooking and cleaning – include pesticides, bacteria, heavy metals and household chemicals. Because people typically cannot taste many contaminants in tap water, they do not realize they are drinking them.
Impurities such as old food, discarded medications and dirty bath water also enter our local sewer and water-treatment systems, where they collect in a central depository. There, the water is processed and then reintroduced to our potable water system with added minerals and high amounts of chlorine and fluoride to help disinfect the water.
Many of us might already be using bottled water or another water dispenser to compensate for the lack of quality we find from our faucets. Some might use dispensed or bottled water for brushing their teeth as well.
Solution for Excellent Quality: Water Filtration & Conditioning
All of the water-quality concerns we’ve touched on can be resolved to lasting, efficient effect with a whole-house water filtration system. For about the cost of a cup of coffee per day, you can enjoy truly fresh water from your faucet for years without needing separate filters and frequent system maintenance.
A whole-house water filtration system installed by Aquaduct removes the impurities from your water to make it taste, look and smell better. Your water filtration system also contributes to health, cleaner laundry and dishes, and softer skin.
We install the filter in your main water line, next to your meter of the interior pipes. As water enters the filter, it passes through granulated activated carbon that removes the impurities, including those that can cause orange or rusty water or an egg smell. From there, the filtered water leaves the canister filter and flows into your home for fresh, clean water from every faucet and fixture.
You’ll be surprised by the level of quality the system achieves. In addition to being safer and more enjoyable to drink and use, the filtered water preserves the life of plumbing and water-using appliances.
Water filtration further removes the need for bottled water – which still contains contaminants – and the plastic waste it generates. Clean, filtered tap water is on average less than a penny ($0.004) a gallon, compared with bottled water at an average of $1.37 per gallon (340 times more).
Another great option for water quality is water conditioning, which removes chemicals such as chlorine from water. Some homeowners in Oswego, Yorkville, Plano, Sugar Grove and Montgomery also like water conditioners because they use much less water and require less maintenance. While water conditioners don’t soften water, by removing harmful chemicals they still reduce hard water’s effects on pipes, faucets and drains.
Then of course there’s the water softener, which softens water by exchanging calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions. Combined with a water filtration or water conditioning system, a water softener adds to your goal to balance water that is less hard with water that is impurity-free.
Aquaduct also accommodates Oswego, Yorkville, Plano, Sugar Grove and Montgomery homeowners by making greater water quality attainable. Our pricing is precise and up-front – customers know what they are paying and why before we begin.
Contact Aquaduct Today
Aquaduct Plumbing serves Oswego, Yorkville, Plano, Sugar Grove and Montgomery (IL) as an informed and skilled resource for enjoying optimal water quality at home. If you have questions or concerns about your water quality or would like to learn more about our water filtration, conditioning and softening systems, just give us a call at (630) 504-9594.
All products installed by Aquaduct Plumbing are made in the USA. They are also backed by a manufacturer’s warranty and a service warranty. Join our online community on Facebook as well!
Water Quick Facts
The human brain is about 75% water, and the human body needs a constant supply of clean water to maintain proper health.
Globally, unsafe water kills more people each year than all forms of violence and war.
Boiling is one of the oldest forms of water purification, and it eliminates all microorganisms, bacteria and viruses that lead to gastrointestinal infections. It cannot, however, remove chemical contaminants. Source
