The Lake in the Hills IL Water Treatment Department provides water to over 6,000 residents.
In 2011, additions to water treatment plants have increased Iron and Manganese removal to 1,000gpm (gallons per minute).
A few areas in town have softer water that has undergone specilized treatment. Other parts of town have extremely hard water.
Water hardness aside, the entire community faces similar challenges with other water contaminants.
Lake in the Hills Water Hardness
Lake in the Hills water hardness ranges from 26-28gpg. The water is rated as extremely hard by the USGS, and is almost 6x harder than the national average. A professional-grade Water Softener will go a long way towards protecting your home’s plumbing and appliances 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”:
2010 Lake in the Hills Annual Water Quality Report
2009 Lake in the Hills Annual Water Quality Report
The contaminants in these reports have been listed by category below. All levels meet 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 | 0.1 – 0.59 | 0ppb | 10 | Skin damage or problems with circulatory system, may have increased risk of cancer |
| Barium | 0.97 – 1.3 | 2ppm | 2 | Increase in blood pressure |
| Hardness | 26 – 28 | NA gpg | NA | Increased energy consumption, damage to plumbing, appliances, fixtures, clothing |
| Iron | 0.01 – 0.038 | NA ppm | 0.3 | Increased energy consumption, damage to plumbing, appliances, fixtures, clothing |
| Manganese | 1.1 – 8 | 50ppb | 50 | Black staining, decreased IQ in children |
| Nitrate | 0.41 | 10ppm | 10 | Shortness of breath, “blue baby syndrome” |
| Selenium | 1.2 | 50ppb | 50 | Hair or fingernail loss, numbness in fingers or toes, circulation problems |
| Sodium | 23 – 140 | NA ppm | NA | Hypertension |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dichloromethane | 0.01 – 0.21 | 0ppb | 5 | Liver problems, increased risk of cancer |
| Vinyl Chloride | 0.01 – 0.2 | 0ppb | 2 | Liver problems, increased risk of cancer |
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 | 0.3 – 1.8 | 4.0ppm | 4 | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort |
| Haloacetic Acids | 2.3 – 56 | 0ppb | 60 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Total Trihalomethanes | 19 – 29 | 0ppb | 80 | Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer |
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 | 1.68 – 4.15 | 0pCi/L | 15 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Combined Radium | 1.123 – 3.3 | 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.