Chicago tap water: hardness, chlorine and what to do about it
Chicago's drinking water comes from Lake Michigan and is treated at the city's own plants. Here are the city's own numbers on hardness and chlorine, with links, and what they mean for a Chicago home.
Where Chicago's water comes from
Chicago's water comes from Lake Michigan and is treated at the city's own plants, according to Chicago's water quality report (2025 data).
What Chicago publishes about its water
| What | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 7.6 to 8.8 grains per gallon. On the U.S. Geological Survey's scale that counts as hard. See the scale. |
|
| Disinfectant | Chlorine. Water systems add it to keep water clean on its way to your tap. The 2025 report puts it at about 1 part per million. Carbon filtration in our whole-home system reduces the chlorine taste and smell. |
|
| Report results | Every result in the city's 2025 report passed, though some individual homes tested above the federal action level for lead. The report also lists three violations: two missed continuous checks on the cloudiness (turbidity) of individual filters in April and May 2025, with no issues leaving the treatment plant, and one failure to certify to the state that annual lead service line notices had gone out (the city says they were sent in 2025). The Chicago city water guide explains more. |
|
| Lead | The city counts about 412,000 lead or suspected-lead service lines. A water softener does not remove lead. Start with the city's free test of your own tap. |
|
| Newest report | 2025 data year. Towns publish a new report every year, so we pull the latest one on your call. |
What that means for your Chicago home
On the U.S. Geological Survey's scale, Chicago's water counts as hard. Many homeowners soften water like this to cut spotting and scale. It is a choice, not an emergency.
The City Water Package is $3,299 installed. It softens the water where it enters your home, carbon filtration reduces the chlorine taste and smell, and a drinking-water faucet at your kitchen sink comes with it. We size it on your Free Water Check, using your household size and your town's report.
Chicago's single-family neighborhoods we serve include Edison Park, Norwood Park, Sauganash, Edgebrook, Jefferson Park, Portage Park, Dunning, Old Irving Park, Garfield Ridge, Clearing, Ashburn, Mount Greenwood, Beverly and Morgan Park. See the full Chicago city water guide for the report in plain English.
Questions from Chicago homeowners
Where does Chicago's tap water come from?
Chicago's water comes from Lake Michigan and is treated at the city's own plants, according to Chicago's water quality report (2025 data).
How hard is Chicago's water?
Chicago publishes 7.6 to 8.8 grains per gallon. On the U.S. Geological Survey's scale that counts as hard. See the source.
Does Chicago use chlorine or chloramine?
Chicago's report (2025 data) lists chlorine as its disinfectant. Carbon filtration in our whole-home system reduces the chlorine taste and smell.
Where can I read Chicago's official water report?
Here: Chicago's water quality report (2025 data). Water systems must deliver this report to customers every year by July 1.
Do I need a water softener in Chicago?
On the U.S. Geological Survey's scale, Chicago's water counts as hard. Many homeowners soften water like this to cut spotting and scale. It is a choice, not an emergency.
What does whole-home water treatment cost in Chicago?
Our City Water Package is $3,299 installed for a standard install. The standard installation, the permit where your town requires one, and tax are included. A private well, or water over 25 grains per gallon, starts at $4,499, quoted in writing after a water test. Anything that could change a price is listed on How it works.
Do you install in Chicago?
Yes, in single-family homes and townhomes with their own water line in Chicago. Condos and apartments share a building line, so we can't yet. You don't need a sales visit: a short phone call, four photos, and one price in writing.
Does a water softener remove lead?
No, and we won't tell you it does. In Chicago, lead comes from older service lines and plumbing inside homes, not from the treatment plant.
If lead is your concern, start with a real test of your own tap. Chicago residents can request a free lead test kit from the city.
Whether a drinking-water system reduces lead depends on its certification. We won't say ours does until the exact model's certification listing shows it, and we send you that listing before you buy.
Check your Chicago water
Tell us your ZIP code and where your water comes from. We'll pull your town's numbers before we call.
Prefer to talk now?
Get your Free Water Check
A 10 to 15 minute phone call about your water and your price. No home visit.