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New Albany Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

182mg/L
Very Hard

10.6 grains per gallon

Source

river

pH Level

7.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.001 mg/L

βœ“ Below action level

TDS

181.3 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.49

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below Β· Updated 2026

182mg/L as CaCO₃Very Hard

0–60

mg/L

Soft

61–120

mg/L

Moderately Hard

121–180

mg/L

Hard

180+

mg/L

Very Hard

Appliance Damage Report

In New Albany, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn New AlbanySoft Water CityEfficiency Loss
Kettle
3.6 yrs
8.5 yrs-58%
Washing Machine
6.9 yrs
12 yrs-43%
Water Heater
8.3 yrs
15 yrs-45%

Regional Water Comparison

How New Albany compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
β–Ά New Albany, Indiana182 mg/L3.4 pptπŸ”΄ Very Hardriver
Clarksville, Indianaβ‰ˆ 180+ mg/L6.8 pptπŸ”΄ Very Hardriver
Louisville, Kentucky135 mg/L10 ppt🟠 Hardriver
Shively, Kentuckyβ‰ˆ 120–179 mg/L7.1 ppt🟠 Hardriver
Jeffersonville, Indiana182 mg/L0 pptπŸ”΄ Very Hardgroundwater

National Benchmark

How New Albany compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
β–Ά New Albany182 mg/LπŸ”΄ High
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟒 None

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What Makes New Albany's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 181.3 mg/LpH: 7.5

Indiana American Water - Greater Jeffersonville Area serves New Albany, Indiana, alongside Jeffersonville and Clarksville in Clark County. The utility draws from 17 groundwater wells as its sole water source, supplying an average of 15.4 million gallons per day. All supply is groundwater-based β€” there are no surface water treatment plants in this service area. Water is drawn from underground aquifers and treated at dedicated facilities before distribution, with chlorine disinfection applied throughout the distribution system to maintain safety and quality.

Recharge for this groundwater supply occurs through the broader Ohio River Valley drainage basin, where permeable soils and karst features overlie Mississippian limestone formations. Key formations include the Borden Group limestones and dolomites, as well as Valmeyeran Series rocks β€” notably the Ste. Genevieve and St. Louis Limestones β€” prevalent across southern Indiana. These karstic carbonate layers dissolve over geological time, leaching substantial calcium and magnesium ions into the aquifers, creating a characteristically hard and mineral-rich groundwater profile typical of the region.

At 182 mg/L, New Albany's water is very hard, causing significant scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Faucets and fixtures develop stubborn mineral deposits, and soap lathering is diminished. Regular deliming of appliances and installation of scale inhibitors is advised; a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and extend appliance life. The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report shows pH averaging 7.47 with hardness ranging 158–209 ppm; the utility confirms compliance with lead regulations and no PFAS exceedances.

Geology & Source: Ohio River Valley groundwater wells; Mississippian-age Borden Group limestones and dolomites β€” karstic carbonate bedrock dissolves calcium and magnesium into aquifers, producing hard supply

Other Indiana Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is New Albany's water safe to drink?
Yes. New Albany's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is 182 mg/L (Very Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in New Albany?
At 182 mg/L (Very Hard), New Albany's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 24%.
How does New Albany compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. New Albany (182 mg/L) is 31 mg/L above the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for New Albany is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city β€” the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

pH

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock β€” values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS β€” Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS β€” Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) β€” sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age β€” all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.