Florence Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.3 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
388.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.47
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 Florence, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Florence | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -55% |
| Washing Machine | 7.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -41% |
| Water Heater | 8.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -43% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Florence compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Florence, Kentucky | 176 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Erlanger, Kentucky | 121 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Independence, Kentucky | 70.5 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Burlington, Kentucky | 136 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Covington, Kentucky | 132 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Florence compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Florence | 176 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Florence's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Florence, Kentucky, in Boone County — a major north Kentucky Cincinnati suburban community (Florence is one of the most important commercial hubs in the greater Cincinnati metropolitan area — the Boone County seat Florence is home to the Florence Mall and one of the highest concentrations of retail and commercial development in northern Kentucky); famous for the Florence Y'all Water Tower (one of the most beloved landmarks in Kentucky — the water tower originally read 'Florence Mall' but FAA regulations required 'Mall' to be changed; the 'Florence Y'all' reading became a beloved regional landmark and cultural symbol), a diverse Boone County community with a significant German-American, working-class, and suburban professional population, adjacent to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (one of the major regional airports in the Midwest, located in Hebron–Florence Boone County), and a rapidly growing north Kentucky Cincinnati suburb — draws its municipal water supply from the Ohio River via the Northern Kentucky Water District. Water hardness in Florence measures 176 mg/L — classified as hard.
Florence's hard supply reflects the north Kentucky NKWD Ohio River supply's calcareous character. The Ohio River at Florence–Boone County drains extensive Midwest calcareous terrain. NKWD distributes with treatment to the north Boone County Florence zone, producing the hard 176 mg/L.
At 176 mg/L, Florence residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling is recommended. NKWD consistently delivers water meeting all Kentucky DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Ohio River via the Northern Kentucky Water District (NKWD) — the Boone County north Kentucky Greater Cincinnati corridor (Ordovician calcareous Kope and Fairview Formations — the highly calcareous north Kentucky Inner Bluegrass–Ohio River carbonate platform; NKWD north Boone County distribution to Florence zone); hard supply at 176 mg/L in Boone County.