Hard Water and Well Water in Macon County

City water

Lake Decatur, a reservoir on the Sangamon River built in 1920–22, is the main source of the City's water (Wikipedia: Lake Decatur). The lake sits on flat prairie and has long dealt with silt washed in from farm fields in the upper Sangamon basin. The City publishes an annual water quality report for its customers with current values (City of Decatur, Illinois (water, sewer and permits)).

Villages

Many Macon County villages run their own water systems, often from wells, and publish their own reports. Check with your village.

Private wells

Homes outside city and village systems often use private wells. The Illinois State Water Survey studies groundwater and aquifers in the state (Illinois State Water Survey). The Illinois Department of Public Health sets private well rules (Illinois Department of Public Health, Plumbing Program). Owners are responsible for testing; hardness, iron and bacteria are common things to check, and testing after flooding or any change in taste or color is a good idea.

What minerals do to plumbing

• Water heaters: sediment in tanks; scale in tankless heat exchangers.
• Faucets and showerheads: clogged aerators and spray holes.
• Toilets: worn fill valves and flappers.
• Appliances: scale in dishwashers and washers.
• Iron: orange staining in sinks, tubs and laundry.

Treatment options

• Softeners remove hardness minerals by ion exchange.
• Iron filters handle rust-staining well water.
• Carbon filters improve taste and odor.
• Disinfection for wells with bacteria, after finding the cause.

Choose treatment based on a test. University of Illinois Extension has homeowner resources on water quality and testing (University of Illinois Extension).

Simple maintenance

Rinse aerators and soak showerheads in vinegar, flush a few gallons from the water heater periodically, and keep salt in the softener. See water softeners.

Lead is a separate question

Hardness is not a health concern, but lead from old service lines or plumbing can be. See the lead service line guide.

Related pages: water softeners & hard water, water heater repair & replacement, toilets, faucets & fixtures, and what shapes an estimate.

Sources: City of Decatur, Illinois (water, sewer and permits); Wikipedia: Lake Decatur; Illinois State Water Survey; Illinois Department of Public Health, Plumbing Program; University of Illinois Extension.