Water hardness, which primarily refers to the concentration of dissolved substances like calcium and magnesium, can greatly vary across Kentucky. The state, positioned in the eastern south-central region of the United States, often experiences diverse water hardness levels, unlike regions such as the Midwest which are prone to higher hardness levels.
For perspective on Kentucky, the specific hardness measurements gathered from several towns and cities indicate a tendency towards moderate to high hardness levels, compared to the national average. As such, Kentucky’s water is generally classified in the ‘moderate to hard’ category. This attribute has significant implications in areas such as the water’s taste and the effectiveness of cleaning substances like soaps and detergents. It should be noted that these hardness levels can fluctuate and are subject to change based on local geological conditions and differences in water sources.
The dataset outlines the differing water hardness levels, measured in Parts Per Million (ppm) and Grains Per Gallon (gpg), across a range of cities. Notably, cities like Louisville, Owensboro, and Glasgow have higher hardness levels, exceeding 130 ppm. Meanwhile, Lexington and Nicholasville report low hardness levels, under 30 ppm. Several cities, including Bowling Green, Georgetown, and Richmond, among others, do not provide data regarding their water hardness levels.
City | Hardness ppm (mg/L) | Hardness gpg | Information Source | Notes |
Louisville | 135.0 | 7.9 | Link | |
Lexington | 10.0 | 0.6 | Link | Took median of range |
Bowling Green | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Owensboro | 175.0 | 10.2 | Link | Softened to that level at the treatment plant |
Covington | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Georgetown | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Richmond | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Florence | 137.0 | 8.0 | Link | Buried in the FAQ Page |
Elizabethtown | n/a | n/a | Link | Doesn’t list the hardness of source water, just that personal water filters should set to either 16.6 gpg or 10.6 gpg depending on source. |
Nicholasville | 10.0 | 0.6 | Link | Took median from range. |
Hopkinsville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Independence | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Jeffersontown | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Frankfort | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Henderson | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Paducah | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Radcliff | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Ashland | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Erlanger | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Madisonville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Winchester | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Mount Washington | 135.0 | 7.9 | Link | Bullitt County covered by Lousiville |
St. Matthews | 135.0 | 7.9 | Link | Lousville serves per this site |
Shelbyville | 135.0 | 7.9 | Link | Covered by Louisville from their CCR map |
Murray | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Danville | 30.0 | 1.8 | Link | |
Fort Thomas | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Berea | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Shively | 135.0 | 7.9 | Link | Covered by Louisville from their CCR map |
Glasgow | 145.5 | 8.5 | Link | Took median of two different hardnesses for two different sources for Glasgow |
Shepherdsville | 135.0 | 7.9 | Link | Bullitt County covered by Louisville |
Newport | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Bardstown | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Somerset | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Lawrenceburg | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Campbellsville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Lyndon | 135.0 | 7.9 | Link | Covered by Louisville from their CCR map |
Versailles | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Alexandria | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Paris | n/a | n/a | Link | |
La Grange | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Franklin | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Mayfield | n/a | n/a | Link | 6 CCRs, none of them have hardness. |
Middletown | 135.0 | 7.9 | Link | Covered by Louisville from their CCR map |
Middlesborough | 119.8 | 7.0 | Link | |
Elsmere | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Harrodsburg | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Maysville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Hillview | 135.0 | 7.9 | Link | Bullitt County covered by Louisville |
Fort Mitchell | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Edgewood | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Oak Grove | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Corbin | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Mount Sterling | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Union | 122.0 | 7.0 | Link | Buys from Cincinatti |
London | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Villa Hills | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Pikeville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Flatwoods | n/a | n/a | Link | Latest available on website was 2020 |
Russellville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Morehead | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Taylor Mill | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Highland Heights | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Vine Grove | n/a | n/a | Link | Purchases from Hardin County Water District #1 which doesn’t report |
Leitchfield | n/a | n/a | Link | Part of Grayson County |
Cynthiana | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Lebanon | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Crestwood | 135.0 | 7.9 | Link | Water comes from Louisville, per linked source |
Cold Spring | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Princeton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Wilmore | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Central City | n/a | n/a | Was unable to find the specific CCR for Greenville, KY. | |
Fort Wright | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Monticello | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Dayton | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Walton | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Purchases from Northern KY Water District |
Bellevue | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Douglass Hills | 135.0 | 7.9 | Link | Covered by Louisville from their CCR map |
Williamsburg | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Hazard | n/a | n/a | Link | 2019 report |
Columbia | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Benton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Hurstbourne | 135.0 | 7.9 | Link | Covered by Louisville from their CCR map |
Prospect | 135.0 | 7.9 | Link | Covered by Louisville from their CCR map |
Greenville | n/a | n/a | Was unable to find the specific CCR for Greenville, KY. | |
Ludlow | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Paintsville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Crescent Springs | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Scottsville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Prestonsburg | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Crittenden | 119.0 | 6.9 | Link | Per CCR purchases from Cincy and Northern KY Water District. Took median of those two values |
Williamstown | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Lancaster | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Carrollton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Grayson | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Russell | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Southgate | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
Stanford | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Beaver Dam | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Crestview Hills | 116.0 | 6.8 | Link | Part of Northern KY Water District Based on Map |
ppm = Parts Per Million
mg/L = Milligrams Per Liter
gpg = Grains Per Gallon
Hard water can cause issues such as mineral buildup in plumbing and appliances, reduce the efficacy of soaps and detergents, and affect the taste of the water. A tried and true solution is the use of a water softener. A water softener, like the ones from DROP, could be a worthwhile investment.
These devices work by replacing the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hardness with sodium ions, resulting in softer water. With innovative features, easy installation, and efficient operation, DROP smart water softeners provide a solution to hard water issues, extending the lifespan of appliances, improving water taste, enhancing soap effectiveness, reducing scale build-up, and increasing the overall water efficiency in your home.