State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM4
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM6
Hard · 121–180 PPM1
Very hard · 181+ PPM18
State water index
Kentucky water hardness
Search 130 indexed communities and 164 ZIP profiles, then compare the underlying utility, source, distance, and reporting context.
Median regional evidence
210PPM
Very Hard
Indexed range 3.7–436 PPM
- ZIP profiles
- 164
- Cities
- 130
- Matched utilities
- 130
- Counties
- 91
Understanding Kentucky
Why local comparisons matter here
Kentucky includes Appalachian headwaters, limestone-rich karst regions, the Bluegrass, and western river and alluvial settings.
In this index, very hard is the largest category, covering 18 of 29 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 210 PPM, but the full indexed range is 3.7–436 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 18%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 2%
24
Low-confidence hardness profiles
1
Research-comparison eligible profiles
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Surface water
- 111
- Groundwater
- 19
Highest medians
Highest eligible city medians
Lowest medians
Lowest eligible city medians
City directory
Explore Kentucky by city
Search by city or county, then sort by name, hardness, or ZIP coverage.
130 cities · 164 ZIP profiles
130 cities found
Page 1 of 6
Albany
Clinton County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Ashland
Boyd County · 2 ZIPs
268PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bardstown
Nelson County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bardwell
Carlisle County · 1 ZIP
210PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Beattyville
Lee County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Benton
Marshall County · 1 ZIP
4PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Berea
Madison County · 2 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bloomfield
Nelson County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Booneville
Owsley County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bowling Green
Warren County · 4 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Brodhead
Rockcastle County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Burgin
Mercer County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Burkesville
Cumberland County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Burnside
Pulaski County · 3 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Cadiz
Trigg County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Campbellsville
Taylor County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Campton
Wolfe County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Carlisle
Nicholas County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Clay
Webster County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Cloverport
Breckinridge County · 1 ZIP
349PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Cumberland
Harlan County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Cynthiana
Harrison County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Danville
Boyle County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Dawson Springs
Hopkins County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
County comparison
Highest regional-evidence county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallatin County | 436 PPM | 436–436 | 1 |
| Henry County | 353 PPM | 188–353 | 3 |
| Trimble County | 353 PPM | 353–353 | 1 |
| Greenup County | 301 PPM | 301–301 | 6 |
| Hancock County | 300 PPM | 300–300 | 2 |
| Daviess County | 293 PPM | 291–295.5 | 2 |
| Breckinridge County | 280 PPM | 210.5–349 | 2 |
| Boyd County | 268 PPM | 268–268 | 2 |
| Johnson County | 268 PPM | 268–268 | 3 |
| Lawrence County | 268 PPM | 268–268 | 1 |
| Carlisle County | 210 PPM | 210–210 | 1 |
| Ballard County | 210 PPM | 210–210 | 1 |