Fort Knox Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.5 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
522.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.57
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 Fort Knox, your appliances are currently losing 29% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Fort Knox | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -71% |
| Washing Machine | 5.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -53% |
| Water Heater | 7 yrs | 15 yrs | -53% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Fort Knox compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fort Knox, Kentucky | 214.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Radcliff, Kentucky | 228 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Elizabethtown, Kentucky | 100 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Valley Station, Kentucky | 126.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Shepherdsville, Kentucky | 234.5 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Fort Knox compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fort Knox | 214.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Fort Knox's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Fort Knox, Kentucky, in Hardin County — a Hardin County unincorporated military installation adjacent to Radcliff and Elizabethtown in north-central Kentucky — receives its water from the Fort Knox Directorate of Public Works, drawing from the Rolling Fork River through the north-central Kentucky distribution.
The very hard 214.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 522.4 mg/L reflect the Hardin County supply's very hard Kentucky limestone character — the Mississippian St. Louis Limestone and Warsaw Formation are highly calcareous formations in the Kentucky Pennyroyal limestone plateau; the Rolling Fork River at Hardin County acquires very hard dissolved mineral content from its extensive Kentucky limestone drainage (compare Radcliff KY: 210/512 in Hardin County comparable; Elizabethtown KY: 218/532 in Hardin County comparable; Fort Knox consistent very hard from the same Hardin County Rolling Fork River Mississippian calcareous supply). The Rolling Fork River watershed — Mississippian St. Louis Limestone (highly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Mississippian Warsaw Formation (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Rolling Fork alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 214.5 mg/L with TDS 522, Fort Knox's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. The PFAS level of 6.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review the Fort Knox Directorate of Public Works' annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Fort Knox in Hardin County draws from the Fort Knox Water on the Ohio River/Rolling Fork supply (Hardin County, north-central Kentucky) — the Kentucky Pennyroyal plateau at Hardin County draws from Mississippian St. Louis Limestone (highly calcareous) and Mississippian Warsaw Formation (calcareous) — Kentucky Hardin County Rolling Fork River Mississippian calcareous supply produces very hard water at 214.5 mg/L with TDS 522.4 mg/L.