Water softener and filtration in Mundelein, IL: a straight answer on hardness
The Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency, which supplies Lake Michigan water to Mundelein, states that its water measures about 8 grains per gallon, or 137 mg/L as calcium carbonate. That is moderate hardness. Some households still choose a softener to reduce spots and scale on fixtures.
The agency also notes that most residents it spoke with stopped using softeners, and that softeners can make water more corrosive to plumbing. We share that so you decide with the full picture. If you still want a softener or a filter, we install and service them correctly.
Why people ask about softeners
- White spots on glassware and fixtures.
- Scale on faucet aerators and showerheads.
- Dry skin or dull laundry that they associate with hard water.
- A tankless water heater that needs frequent descaling.
- A replacement for an older softener tank or valve.
Softener or filter: what each does
| System | What it does | Does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Salt-based softener | Removes calcium and magnesium | Does not filter chemicals or taste |
| Carbon filter | Reduces chlorine taste and odor | Does not soften |
| Reverse osmosis at one tap | Reduces dissolved solids for drinking | Not for the whole house |
| Sediment filter | Catches grit | Does not soften |
If you already have a softener
Check that the regeneration setting matches your actual hardness. Water at about 8 grains per gallon needs far less regeneration than a setting made for well water at 20 or more. Flush the system if you have been away for several days, and keep salt levels steady. We service valves, resin tanks and brine tanks. Many calls are valve replacements, not new systems.
Hardness in nearby towns differs
Not every nearby town gets the same water. Lake Zurich currently uses wells and the village reports that ion exchange treatment lowered hardness from 14 to 18 grains per gallon down to 6 to 8. Parts of Hawthorn Woods are on municipal wells operated through Aqua Illinois or on private wells. If you live outside Mundelein, check your own supplier before choosing a system. See our Lake Zurich page for more.
How we help you decide
- Test the waterWe use a test kit to check hardness at your tap.
- Review your goalsWe ask what you want to change, such as spots, scale or taste.
- RecommendYou get a plain answer, even if that is no softener.
- Install or serviceIf you proceed, we install the unit with a bypass and a drain connection.
What affects the price
A softener has an installation cost and ongoing costs, and we explain both.
- System type. Softener, filter or combination.
- Install location. Distance to a floor drain and power.
- Bypass and plumbing. Existing piping may need changes.
- Running costs. Salt and water for regeneration.
- Water heater. Hard water can shorten heater life, which a softener may help.
Newer active adult homes often ask about softeners, which we discuss for Grand Dominion residents.
Salt, brine and the drain connection
A softener needs a drain for its regeneration cycle, an air gap that keeps wastewater from flowing back, an electrical outlet and a bypass valve. The brine tank needs periodic salt, and the resin bed eventually wears out.
Plan where the unit will sit. A cool, dry spot near the main shutoff and a floor drain makes installation simpler and service easier later. If you are on a septic system, ask about the discharge before buying.
Code for softener hookups
A softener drain needs an air gap, and the supply connections fall under the Illinois Plumbing Code, the state standard (Title 77, Part 890 of the Illinois Administrative Code). Backflow protection and approved fittings protect the potable supply. If you are on a septic system, ask about brine discharge first.
Water softener FAQ
The Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency reports about 8 grains per gallon, or 137 mg/L, for its Lake Michigan supply.
Not necessarily. Many residents choose not to use one. A softener is a preference for spotting and scale, not a necessity.
The agency notes softeners increase the corrosivity of water. A properly set unit is still widely used.
Yes. We replace valves, resin and brine components.
No. Filters remove particles, taste or odor. Softeners remove hardness minerals.
We can test hardness at your tap. For a full lab analysis, contact your water supplier or a certified lab.