The Water Division in Cary, IL provides water for over 18,000 residents and 500+ businesses.
Cary’s water supply comes from 9 wells to supply 5 filtration plants that reduce Iron and Manganese. 3 softening plants are used to reduce water hardness levels before the water is stored in 6 storage tanks throughout the city.
Water must travel through over 75 miles of pipe before it reaches your home or business.
Cary IL Water Hardness
Cary water hardness ranges from 22-28gpg. The water is rated as extremely hard by the USGS, and is 4-5x harder than the national average. A professional-grade Water Softener will go a long way towards protecting your home from hard water damage.
Annual Water Quality Reports
Water quality can change from year-to-year. Our database of Annual Water Quality Reports will give you a better idea of “what’s in your water”:
2011 Cary Annual Water Quality Report
2010 Cary Annual Water Quality Report
The contaminants in these reports have been listed by category below. All contaminants are within Legal Limits. Water contaminants that exceed the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG), aka Health Limit, have been highlighted below:
Inorganic Contaminants
Inorganics include salts and metals like hard water and copper. Inorganics are mostly consumed through drinking water, and do not pass through skin. A Reverse Osmosis System is very effective at removing inorganic contaminants.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 0.09 – 0.52 | 0ppb | 10 | Skin damage or problems with circulatory system, may have increased risk of cancer |
| Barium | 0.34 – 1.9 | 2ppm | 2 | Increase in blood pressure |
| Cadmium | 0.52 – 3.1 | 0.04ppb | 5 | Kidney damage |
| Hardness | 22 – 28 | NA gpg | NA | Increased energy consumption, damage to plumbing, appliances, fixtures, clothing |
| Iron | 0 – 0.13 | NA ppm | 0.3 | Increased energy consumption, damage to plumbing, appliances, fixtures, clothing |
| Manganese | 11 – 66 | 50ppb | 50 | Black staining, decreased IQ in children |
| Selenium | 0 – 2.1 | 50ppb | 50 | Hair or fingernail loss, numbness in fingers or toes, circulation problems |
| Sodium | 22 – 120 | NA ppm | NA | Hypertension |
| Sulfate | 0 – 63 | NA ppm | NA | Catharsis, Dehydration from diarrhea |
Organic Contaminants
Organics can be natural, or manmade. Many organic chemicals easily pass through the skin, and make a Whole House Carbon Filter or a DMT Hybrid System a good preventative tool.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Tetrachloride | 0.01 – 0.06 | 0ppb | 5 | Liver problems, increased risk of cancer |
| Lindane | 0.01 | 0.03ppb | 0.2 | Liver or kidney problems |
Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts
Disinfectants are added to kill bacteria. A new class of compounds are formed when disinfectants like chlorine react with other water contaminants. Many of these enter the body through inhalation, absorption through skin, and through drinking water.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | 0.55 – 0.68 | 4.0ppm | 4 | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort |
| Haloacetic Acids | 1.34 – 2.5 | 0ppb | 60 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Total Trihalomethanes | 11 – 18 | 0ppb | 80 | Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 0.42 – 1.1 | 20ppb | 60 | Increased risk of cancer, inhalation poses highest risk |
Radionucliides
Radionucliides can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. These can be inhaled, or consumed through drinking water.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Emitters | 2.94 – 9.4 | 0pCi/L | 15 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Combined Radium | 0 – 4.39 | 0pCi/L | 5 | Increased risk of cancer |
This information was compiled from City Water Quality Reports, the EPA, Illinois Department of Health, and the Environmental Working Group. Please contact us if any contaminants are missing, or levels that differ from those outlined on this page.