State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM7
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM7
Hard · 121–180 PPM88
Very hard · 181+ PPM60
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 indexed hardness
157PPM
Hard
Indexed range 32.6–360 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, hard is the largest category, covering 88 of 162 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 157 PPM, but the full indexed range is 32.6–360 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 99%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 2%
123
Low-confidence hardness profiles
123
Nearest site more than 25 miles away
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Surface water
- 111
- Groundwater
- 19
Highest medians
Hardest indexed cities
- 1. Irvine360 PPM
- 2. Falmouth353 PPM
- 3. Warsaw353 PPM
- 4. Dry Ridge352 PPM
- 5. Paris348 PPM
Lowest medians
Softest indexed cities
- 1. Hardin33 PPM
- 2. Murray36 PPM
- 3. Fulton36 PPM
- 4. Benton37 PPM
- 5. Hickman38 PPM
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
133PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Ashland
Boyd County · 2 ZIPs
140PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bardstown
Nelson County · 1 ZIP
132PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bardwell
Carlisle County · 1 ZIP
42PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Beattyville
Lee County · 1 ZIP
268PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Benton
Marshall County · 1 ZIP
37PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Berea
Madison County · 2 ZIPs
—
No hardness estimateNo active flag
Bloomfield
Nelson County · 1 ZIP
319PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Booneville
Owsley County · 1 ZIP
258PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bowling Green
Warren County · 4 ZIPs
132PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Brodhead
Rockcastle County · 1 ZIP
106PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Burgin
Mercer County · 1 ZIP
320PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Burkesville
Cumberland County · 1 ZIP
133PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Burnside
Pulaski County · 3 ZIPs
150PPM
Range 136–173No active flag
Cadiz
Trigg County · 1 ZIP
119PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Campbellsville
Taylor County · 1 ZIP
243PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Campton
Wolfe County · 1 ZIP
285PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Carlisle
Nicholas County · 1 ZIP
329PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Clay
Webster County · 1 ZIP
155PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Cloverport
Breckinridge County · 1 ZIP
302PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Cumberland
Harlan County · 1 ZIP
177PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Cynthiana
Harrison County · 1 ZIP
326PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Danville
Boyle County · 1 ZIP
311PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Dawson Springs
Hopkins County · 1 ZIP
132PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
County comparison
Highest indexed county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estill County | 360 PPM | 360–360 | 1 |
| Pendleton County | 353 PPM | 353–353 | 1 |
| Gallatin County | 353 PPM | 352.5–352.5 | 1 |
| Grant County | 352 PPM | 352–352 | 1 |
| Bourbon County | 348 PPM | 348–348 | 1 |
| Boone County | 336 PPM | 336–336 | 2 |
| Clark County | 334 PPM | 333.5–333.5 | 1 |
| Nicholas County | 329 PPM | 329–329 | 1 |
| Harrison County | 326 PPM | 326–326 | 1 |
| Henry County | 324 PPM | 324–324 | 3 |
| Trimble County | 324 PPM | 324–324 | 1 |
| Scott County | 324 PPM | 324–324 | 1 |