How hard is Joliet's water?
the City of Joliet reports hardness of about 22 gpg (City of Joliet Public Utilities FAQ — about 22 grains per gallon east of Midland Avenue, 12 west of it). We still measure at your tap before sizing a softener.
Signs you have hard water
- White spots on dishes and shower glass
- Crusty buildup on faucets and showerheads
- Soap and shampoo that don't lather well
- Scale inside kettles and water heaters
What a softener does — and doesn't
- Does: removes hardness minerals for the whole house, cutting spots and scale.
- Doesn't: remove lead, PFAS, chlorine, or chlorine by-products. Those need a filter certified for them.
- A traditional softener trades hardness minerals for sodium or potassium. If you're watching sodium, ask your doctor, and consider RO for drinking water.
Private well?
If your home is on a well, EPA suggests testing when you notice scale or soap that won't lather, along with yearly tests for bacteria, nitrate, total dissolved solids, and pH. See private well testing.
Our high-efficiency softener starts at $1,795 installed, sized to your measured hardness. See the softener page.
Quick questions
Is hard water unhealthy?
Hard water is a comfort and maintenance issue — spots, scale, and soap that doesn't lather well — not a health limit.
Does a water softener remove lead?
No. A softener removes hardness minerals. For lead, use a drinking-water filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead or an RO system with that claim.
Sources
- City of Joliet 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report (published June 2026) — City of Joliet
- Protect Your Home's Water (private wells) — U.S. EPA
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Joliet Water Filtration is an independent business and is not affiliated with the City of Joliet. Product certifications are model-specific and can change; check the current listing before you buy.
