Erlanger Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.1 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
228.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.32
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
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 Erlanger, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Erlanger | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -34% |
| Washing Machine | 9.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -24% |
| Water Heater | 10.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -28% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Erlanger compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Erlanger, Kentucky | 121 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Florence, Kentucky | 176 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Independence, Kentucky | 70.5 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Covington, Kentucky | 132 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Burlington, Kentucky | 136 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Erlanger compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Erlanger | 121 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Erlanger's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Erlanger, Kentucky, in Kenton County — a Kenton County city adjacent to Florence and Covington in the Greater Cincinnati Kentucky suburbs, a north Kentucky suburban community adjacent to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport — receives its municipal water from the Northern Kentucky Water District (NKWD), drawing from the Ohio River at the NKWD treatment facility serving Kenton County and the northern Kentucky metro.
The moderately hard 121 mg/L hardness and TDS of 228.5 mg/L are consistent with the Northern Kentucky Water District Ohio River supply — similar to the Greater Cincinnati Water Works (White Oak, OH: 128 mg/L, TDS 219). Both the NKWD and GCWW draw from the same Ohio River at the Cincinnati Arch, with the Ordovician Cincinnati Group limestone (Cincinnatian Series) contributing the primary carbonate hardness to both the Ohio and Kentucky side Cincinnati metro supplies.
At 121 mg/L, Erlanger's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (AFFF user in the Ohio River-Licking River watershed), the Cincinnati industrial corridor, and the Ohio River Greater Cincinnati PFAS background contribute to Erlanger's readings.
Geology & Source: Erlanger in Kenton County draws from the Northern Kentucky Water District on the Ohio River (Kenton County, Greater Cincinnati metro) — the Ohio River at Cincinnati drains the Appalachian Plateau (Ordovician Cincinnati Arch limestone, Devonian Ohio Shale) — Ohio River Ordovician-Devonian carbonate drainage at the Cincinnati Arch produces moderately hard water at 121 mg/L with TDS 229 mg/L in this Kenton County Kentucky city.