Water Hardness in Kentucky
Average: 127 PPMModerately Hard702 cities374 water systems
State report
Is Kentucky Water Hard or Soft?
Kentucky water is moderately hard on average at 127 PPM (7.4 GPG). Local readings can vary by utility, aquifer, treatment plant, and private well use.
State average
127 PPM
Moderately Hard
Local coverage
702 cities
374 water systems
Source profile
183 ZIPs
direct or USGS-backed
75% of covered ZIPs use nearby, county, or state estimates, so confirm local readings before sizing treatment equipment.
State data profile
How to read the Kentucky results
State pages are screening and comparison hubs. They summarize ZIP, city, and water-system patterns so you can find the local page that best matches your home or utility.
Direct or USGS-backed ZIPs
183 of 739
25% use treated-water records or USGS monitoring.
Estimated ZIP values
556 ZIPs
75% use nearby, county, or state-level fallback values.
Dataset update
March 9, 2026
Source coverage and rollups are rebuilt from the public dataset.
Use the source coverage below to judge how much local confirmation a specific city or ZIP needs. The methodology page explains the source hierarchy, weighting, and limitations.
State Average
127 PPM
Moderately Hard
Coverage
702 cities
374 water systems in the state rollup.
Data Source Coverage
ZIP-level source mix for Kentucky; higher direct and USGS coverage means less reliance on regional estimates.
739 ZIPs covered
Verified treated water
Utility, CCR, or state treated-water records
18%
136 ZIPs
High-confidence USGS
Environmental monitoring matched to local systems
6%
47 ZIPs
Estimated
Nearby, county, or state-level fallback values
75%
556 ZIPs
In Kentucky, 18% of ZIPs use verified treated-water records, 6% use high-confidence USGS monitoring, and 75% use estimates that should be confirmed locally for treatment decisions.
What the Data Shows in Kentucky
Most classified ZIPs in Kentucky are below the hard-water threshold, though local systems can still vary.
Kentucky relies heavily on nearby, county, or state estimates: 75% of ZIPs use fallback values, so local testing matters more here than in states with stronger direct coverage.
Use the city table below to compare local results. For estimated locations or unusually high readings, confirm with your utility or a home hardness test before sizing treatment equipment.
ZIP Hardness Distribution
Soft6% (42)
Slightly Hard51% (375)
Moderately Hard26% (191)
Hard8% (59)
Very Hard10% (72)
Treatment Takeaway
Kentucky has a mixed hardness profile. Some areas may benefit from softening, while others may only need point-of-use filtration or no hardness treatment at all.
How to Use This Data
Because estimated ZIP values are common in Kentucky, use this page for screening and compare against a utility report or home test before buying equipment.
Source-Backed Water Systems in Kentucky
Large systems with treated-water reports or USGS monitoring behind the state rollup.
| Water system | Hardness | Source label | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville Water Company KY0560258 - Jefferson County | 120 PPM Moderately Hard | Annual Water Quality Report Verified - Annual Water Quality Report | 764,769 |
| Kentucky-American Water Co KY0340250 - Fayette County | 120 PPM Moderately Hard | Annual Water Quality Report Verified - Annual Water Quality Report | 299,501 |
| Northern Kentucky Water District KY0590220 - Kenton County | 120 PPM Moderately Hard | Annual Water Quality Report Verified - Annual Water Quality Report | 199,460 |
| Warren County Water District KY1140487 - Warren County | 120 PPM Moderately Hard | Annual Water Quality Report Verified - Annual Water Quality Report | 91,118 |
| Owensboro Municipal Utilities KY0300336 - Daviess County | 120 PPM Moderately Hard | Annual Water Quality Report Verified - Annual Water Quality Report | 60,473 |
| Bowling Green Municipal Utilities KY1140038 - Warren County | 120 PPM Moderately Hard | Annual Water Quality Report Verified - Annual Water Quality Report | 53,601 |
| Daviess Co Water District KY0300387 - Daviess County | 120 PPM Moderately Hard | Annual Water Quality Report Verified - Annual Water Quality Report | 33,655 |
| E Daviess Co Water Assoc Inc KY0300109 - Daviess County | 120 PPM Moderately Hard | Annual Water Quality Report Verified - Annual Water Quality Report | 11,997 |
Useful Kentucky City Pages
Shortcuts to city pages backed by more ZIP-code or water-system data.
Cities With More Local Data
Louisville
15 ZIPs · 1 system
Lexington
14 ZIPs · 3 systems
Lyndon
3 ZIPs · 1 system
Ferguson
2 ZIPs · 4 systems
Owensboro
2 ZIPs · 3 systems
Bowling Green
2 ZIPs · 2 systems
Prioritize cities with multiple ZIPs and systems, then use source badges on each city page to separate verified treated-water records from estimates.
Top 10 Hardest Water Cities
| # | City | Hardness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | Moderately Hard (120 PPM) |
| 2 | Louisville | Moderately Hard (120 PPM) |
| 3 | Owensboro | Moderately Hard (120 PPM) |
| 4 | Korea | Slightly Hard (114 PPM) |
| 5 | Mayfield | Soft (6 PPM) |
Top 10 Softest Water Cities
| # | City | Hardness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mayfield | Soft (6 PPM) |
| 2 | Korea | Slightly Hard (114 PPM) |
| 3 | Lexington | Moderately Hard (120 PPM) |
| 4 | Louisville | Moderately Hard (120 PPM) |
| 5 | Owensboro | Moderately Hard (120 PPM) |
All Cities in Kentucky
City pages marked Estimated use fallback values and should be confirmed with local testing or utility data.
AdairvilleModerately HardAdamsSlightly HardAdolphusSlightly HardAges BrooksideVery HardAlbanySlightly HardAlcaldeSlightly HardAlexandriaModerately HardAllenSlightly HardAllensvilleSlightly HardAlmoSoftAlphaSlightly HardAlvatonModerately HardAnchorageModerately HardAncoSlightly HardArgilliteSlightly HardArgoSlightly HardArjaySlightly HardArlingtonSoftArtemusSlightly HardAryVery HardAshcampSlightly HardAsherModerately HardAshlandSlightly HardAuburnModerately HardAugustaVery HardAustinSlightly HardAuxierSlightly HardBagdadSlightly HardBailey SwitchSlightly HardBandanaSoftBannerSlightly HardBardstownSlightly HardBardwellSoftBarlowSoftBarnetts CreekSlightly HardBattletownHardBaxterSlightly HardBaysModerately HardBear BranchModerately HardBearvilleSlightly HardBeautySlightly HardBeaver DamModerately HardBedfordHardBee SpringSlightly HardBeech CreekModerately HardBeechmontModerately HardBelcherSlightly HardBelfrySlightly HardBellevueModerately HardBeltonModerately HardBenhamSlightly HardBentonSoftBereaVery HardBerryVery HardBethannaSlightly HardBethelridgeSlightly HardBethlehemHardBetsy LayneSlightly HardBeverlySlightly HardBevinsvilleSlightly HardBig CliftySlightly HardBig CreekVery HardBig LaurelVery HardBig RockVery HardBiggsSlightly HardBimbleSlightly HardBlaineSlightly HardBlairs MillSlightly HardBloomfieldSlightly HardBlue DiamondVery HardBlue RiverSlightly HardBoazSoftBondvilleSlightly HardBonnievilleSlightly HardBoons CampSlightly HardBostonSlightly HardBowling GreenModerately HardBradfordsvilleSlightly HardBrandenburgHardBreedingSlightly HardBremenModerately HardBright ShadeVery HardBroad BottomSlightly HardBrodheadHardBronstonSlightly HardBrooksSlightly HardBrooksvilleVery HardBrowderModerately HardBrowningModerately HardBryants StoreSlightly HardBuckhornVery HardBuckinghamSlightly HardBucknerHardBuechelModerately HardBuffaloModerately HardBurginSlightly HardBurkeVery HardBurkesvilleSlightly HardBurnaSlightly HardBusyVery HardButlerVery HardBybeeVery HardByproSlightly HardCalhounModerately HardCaliforniaModerately HardCallawaySlightly HardCalvert CitySlightly HardCalvinSlightly HardCampbellsburgHardCampbellsvilleSlightly HardCanadaSlightly HardCaneyvilleSlightly HardCanmerSlightly HardCannel CityModerately HardCannonSlightly HardCanoeSlightly HardCarcassonneSlightly HardCarlisleSlightly HardCarrieSlightly HardCarrolltonHardCarrsvilleSlightly HardCatlettsburgSlightly HardCave CitySlightly HardCenterModerately HardCentertownModerately HardCentral CityModerately HardCeruleanSoftChaplinSlightly HardChappellModerately HardChaviesVery HardChevroletSlightly HardClaySlightly HardClayholeModerately HardClearfieldSlightly HardCleatonModerately HardCliffordSlightly HardClimaxHardClintonSoftClosplintSlightly HardClover BottomVery HardCloverportModerately HardCoalgoodVery HardColdironVery HardColumbusSoftCombsVery HardCorbinSlightly HardCorinthHardCornishvilleSlightly HardCorydonModerately HardCovingtonModerately HardCrab OrchardHardCranksVery HardCrestwoodHardCrittendenHardCroftonSoftCromonaSlightly HardCromwellModerately HardCropperHardCrummiesSlightly HardCrutchfieldSoftCub RunSlightly HardCubageSlightly HardCumberlandSlightly HardCunninghamSoftCusterModerately HardCynthianaVery HardDanaSlightly HardDanvilleSlightly HardDarforkVery HardDavellaSlightly HardDavidSlightly HardDavisportSlightly HardDawson SpringsSlightly HardDay RuralVery HardDayhoitVery HardDaysvilleModerately HardDaytonModerately HardDeaneSlightly HardDeatsvilleSlightly HardDelphiaVery HardDemaSlightly HardDemossvilleModerately HardDennistonModerately HardDentonSlightly HardDexterSoftDixieModerately HardDixonSlightly HardDoverModerately HardDrakesboroModerately HardDriftSlightly HardDry CreekSlightly HardDry RidgeHardDryhillVery HardDundeeModerately HardDunmorModerately HardDunnvilleSlightly HardDwaleSlightly HardDwarfSlightly HardE TownSlightly HardE ViewSlightly HardEarlingtonSlightly HardEast Mc DowellSlightly HardEast PointSlightly HardEasternSlightly HardEddyvilleSlightly HardEkronHardEliasVery HardElk HornSlightly HardElkforkModerately HardElktonModerately HardElmrockSlightly HardElnaSlightly HardEminenceHardEmmaSlightly HardEoliaSlightly HardErlangerModerately HardErmineSlightly HardEssieModerately HardEtoileSlightly HardEttySlightly HardEwingSlightly HardEzelModerately HardFairdaleModerately HardFairfieldSlightly HardFalmouthVery HardFancy FarmSoftFarlerVery HardFarmingtonSoftFergusonSlightly HardFern CreekModerately HardFinchvilleSlightly HardFishervilleModerately HardFishtrapSlightly HardFlatSlightly HardFlatwoodsSlightly HardFleming NeonVery HardFlemingsburgSlightly HardFlorenceHardFondeSlightly HardFordsvilleModerately HardForest HillsSlightly HardFort CampbellSoftFort KnoxSlightly HardFort ThomasModerately HardFosterModerately HardFountain RunSlightly HardFranklinSlightly HardFredoniaSlightly HardFreeburnSlightly HardFrewModerately HardFultzSlightly HardGamalielSlightly HardGarfieldModerately HardGarrardVery HardGarrettSlightly HardGarrisonVery HardGays CreekVery HardGeorgetownHardGermantownModerately HardGhentHardGilbertsvilleSlightly HardGillyVery HardGirdlerSlightly HardGlasgowSlightly HardGlen DeanSlightly HardGlencoeHardGlendaleSlightly HardGlens ForkSlightly HardGolden PondSlightly HardGoshenHardGraceySoftGradyvilleSlightly HardGrahamModerately HardGrahnSlightly HardGrassy CreekModerately HardGravel SwitchSlightly HardGraySlightly HardGreen RoadSlightly HardGreensburgSlightly HardGreenvilleModerately HardGrethelSlightly HardGulstonVery HardGustonHardHagerhillSlightly HardHamptonSlightly HardHansonSlightly HardHappyVery HardHardinSlightly HardHardshellModerately HardHardySlightly HardHardyvilleSlightly HardHaroldSlightly HardHartfordModerately HardHattonSlightly HardHawesvilleVery HardHazelSoftHead Of GrassyModerately HardHebronHardHeidrickSlightly HardHellierSlightly HardHeltonVery HardHendersonModerately HardHenshawSlightly HardHerndonSoftHestandSlightly HardHickmanSoftHickorySoftHigh BridgeHardHillsboroModerately HardHindmanSlightly HardHinkleSlightly HardHitchinsSlightly HardHiteSlightly HardHodeSlightly HardHodgenvilleSlightly HardHollandSlightly HardHollyhillSlightly HardHolmes MillSlightly HardHopeSlightly HardHopkinsvilleSoftHorse BranchModerately HardHorse CaveSlightly HardHoskinstonModerately HardHuddySlightly HardHudsonModerately HardHulenSlightly HardHustonvilleSlightly HardIndependenceModerately HardIrvingtonModerately HardIslandModerately HardIsomSlightly HardIsonvilleModerately HardIukaSlightly HardIvelSlightly HardJackhornSlightly HardJamestownSlightly HardJeffVery HardJeffersontownModerately HardJeffersonvilleSlightly HardJeremiahSlightly HardJinksVery HardJobSlightly HardJonancySlightly HardJonesvilleHardJunction CitySlightly HardKeatonSlightly HardKeavySlightly HardKeeneHardKenvirVery HardKettle IslandSlightly HardKevilSoftKimperSlightly HardKings MountainModerately HardKirkseySoftKnifleySlightly HardKnob LickModerately HardKoreaSlightly HardKuttawaSlightly HardKyrockSlightly HardLa CenterSoftLa FayetteSoftLa GrangeHardLancasterHardLangleySlightly HardLarkslaneSlightly HardLatoniaModerately HardLauraSlightly HardLawrenceburgSlightly HardLawtonSlightly HardLebanonSlightly HardLebanon JunctionSlightly HardLedbetterSlightly HardLejuniorVery HardLetcherSlightly HardLewis CreekVery HardLewisburgModerately HardLewisportVery HardLexingtonModerately HardLibertySlightly HardLick CreekSlightly HardLigonSlightly HardLilySlightly HardLimestone SqSlightly HardLineforkSlightly HardLittcarrSlightly HardLivermoreModerately HardLivingstonHardLockportHardLocust HillModerately HardLogansportModerately HardLondonSlightly HardLorettoSlightly HardLouellenSlightly HardLouisvilleModerately HardLovelacevilleSlightly HardLovelySlightly HardLowesSoftLowmansvilleSlightly HardLoyallVery HardLudlowModerately HardLynchSlightly HardLyndonModerately HardLynnSlightly HardMaceoModerately HardMackvilleSlightly HardMadisonvilleSlightly HardMagnoliaModerately HardMajesticSlightly HardMallieSlightly HardMalonetonHardMammoth Cave NatSlightly HardManilaSlightly HardManitouSlightly HardMarionSlightly HardMarrowboneModerately HardMarshes SidingSlightly HardMarthaSlightly HardMaudSlightly HardMayfieldSoftMaykingVery HardMays LickSlightly HardMc AndrewsSlightly HardMc CarrSlightly HardMc DanielsModerately HardMc HenryModerately HardMc KinneyHardMc RobertsSlightly HardMeallySlightly HardMeansModerately HardMelberSoftMelbourneModerately HardMelvinSlightly HardMiddleburgSlightly HardMiddlesboroSlightly HardMiddletownModerately HardMidwayHardMillersburgVery HardMillstoneSlightly HardMillwoodSlightly HardMiltonHardMinnieSlightly HardMontpelierSlightly HardMooleyvilleModerately HardMoorefieldModerately HardMoores CreekVery HardMoreheadSlightly HardMorning ViewModerately HardMorris ForkVery HardMortons GapSlightly HardMount EdenSlightly HardMount HermanModerately HardMount OlivetSlightly HardMount SterlingSlightly HardMount WashingtonSlightly HardMousieSlightly HardMouthcardSlightly HardMozelleModerately HardMuldraughHardMunfordvilleSlightly HardMurraySoftNapforVery HardNeboSlightly HardNew CastleHardNew ConcordSoftNew HopeSlightly HardNew LibertyModerately HardNewportModerately HardNicholasvilleHardNippaSlightly HardNortonvilleSlightly HardOak GroveSoftOaklandModerately HardOkolonaModerately HardOlatonModerately HardOlmsteadModerately HardOlympiaSlightly HardOmahaSlightly HardOneidaVery HardOrlandoHardOwensboroModerately HardOwentonModerately HardOwingsvilleSlightly HardPaducahSoftPaint LickHardParisVery HardPark CitySlightly HardParkers LakeSlightly HardParksvilleSlightly HardPartridgeSlightly HardPathforkVery HardPatseySlightly HardPayne GapVery HardPaynevilleHardPembrokeSoftPendletonHardPerry ParkModerately HardPerryvilleSlightly HardPetersburgHardPewee ValleyHardPhelpsSlightly HardPhilpotModerately HardPhyllisSlightly HardPine RidgeModerately HardPinsonforkSlightly HardPleasant ViewSlightly HardPleasure Ridge PModerately HardPlum SpringsModerately HardPointerSlightly HardPooleSlightly HardPort RoyalHardPremiumSlightly HardPrincetonSlightly HardPrinterSlightly HardProspectModerately HardProvidenceSlightly HardPuebloSlightly HardPulaskiSlightly HardPuncheonSlightly HardPutneyVery HardQuincyModerately HardRabbit HashHardRacelandSlightly HardRadcliffSlightly HardRansomSlightly HardRavenSlightly HardRavennaModerately HardRaywickSlightly HardRedfoxSlightly HardReedModerately HardReedyvilleSlightly HardReginaSlightly HardReveloSlightly HardReynolds StationModerately HardRicetownModerately HardRichmondVery HardRineyvilleSlightly HardRiverSlightly HardRoarkModerately HardRobardsModerately HardRobinson CreekSlightly HardRochesterModerately HardRockholdsSlightly HardRockportModerately HardRogersModerately HardRosineModerately HardRoundhillModerately HardRouseModerately HardRowdyVery HardRoyaltonSlightly HardRumseySlightly HardRushSlightly HardSacramentoModerately HardSadievilleHardSadlerSlightly HardSaint CharlesSlightly HardSaint FrancisSlightly HardSaint MatthewsModerately HardSalemSlightly HardSalt GumSlightly HardSalt LickSlightly HardSandersModerately HardSandgapVery HardSasserSlightly HardScalfSlightly HardScience HillSlightly HardScottsvilleSlightly HardScrantonSlightly HardScuddyVery HardSebreeSlightly HardSecoSlightly HardSedaliaSoftSentervilleSlightly HardSextons CreekVery HardSharon GroveSlightly HardSharpsburgSlightly HardShelbianaSlightly HardShelby GapSlightly HardShelbyvilleSlightly HardShepherdsvilleSlightly HardShivelyModerately HardSidneySlightly HardSilerSlightly HardSilver GroveModerately HardSimpsonvilleSlightly HardSitkaSlightly HardSizerockModerately HardSkylineSlightly HardSladeModerately HardSlaughtersSlightly HardSlempVery HardSloans ValleySlightly HardSmilaxSlightly HardSmithfieldHardSmiths GroveModerately HardSoft ShellSlightly HardSonoraSlightly HardSouth CarrolltonModerately HardSouth PortsmouthSlightly HardSouth WilliamsonSlightly HardSouthgateModerately HardSpartaModerately HardSpottsvilleModerately HardStambaughSlightly HardStamping GroundHardStanfordHardStanvilleSlightly HardStearnsSlightly HardSteeleSlightly HardStephensburgSlightly HardStephensportModerately HardStinnettModerately HardStoneSlightly HardStoney ForkSlightly HardStrunkSlightly HardSturgisSlightly HardSubtleSlightly HardSulphurHardSummer ShadeModerately HardSummersvilleSlightly HardSymbolSlightly HardSymsoniaSoftT VilleSlightly HardTaylorsvilleSlightly HardTeaberrySlightly HardThelmaSlightly HardThorntonSlightly HardThousandsticksModerately HardTilineSlightly HardTiny TownModerately HardTollesboroModerately HardTotzVery HardTramSlightly HardTrappistSlightly HardTrentonSlightly HardTribbeyVery HardTrinityVery HardTrosperSlightly HardTutor KeySlightly HardUlvahVery HardUlyssesSlightly HardUnionHardUnion StarModerately HardUniontownSlightly HardUptonSlightly HardUticaModerately HardVadaVery HardValley StationModerately HardVan LearSlightly HardVancleveModerately HardVarneySlightly HardVeronaHardVersaillesHardVestSlightly HardViccoVery HardVincentModerately HardVine GroveSlightly HardWaddySlightly HardWaldoSlightly HardWalkerSlightly HardWallingfordModerately HardWallins CreekVery HardWaltonHardWarbranchModerately HardWarsawHardWater ValleySoftWaverlySlightly HardWaxSlightly HardWaylandSlightly HardWaynesburgModerately HardWebbs Cross RoadSlightly HardWebbvilleSlightly HardWebsterHardWeeksburySlightly HardWendoverModerately HardWest PaducahSoftWest PointSlightly HardWest Van LearSlightly HardWestbendSlightly HardWestportHardWestviewModerately HardWestwoodSlightly HardWheatcroftSlightly HardWheelwrightSlightly HardWhickModerately HardWhite MillsSlightly HardWhite PlainsSlightly HardWhitesvilleModerately HardWiborgSlightly HardWickliffeSoftWilliamstownHardWillisburgSlightly HardWinchesterVery HardWindsorSlightly HardWingoSoftWittensvilleSlightly HardWoodbineSlightly HardWoodburnModerately HardWorthingtonModerately HardWorthvilleModerately HardYerkesVery HardYosemiteSlightly HardZoeModerately Hard