Frankfort Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Frankfort, Kentucky, the state capital — the Franklin County seat and Kentucky's capital city (Frankfort is the Kentucky state capital — the smallest state capital in the United States by population; Frankfort is situated on a dramatic Kentucky River meander in the Inner Bluegrass Region; the Kentucky State Capitol building (built in 1910 in the French Beaux-Arts style — one of the most beautiful and ornate state capitols in the United States; the Capitol building's dome is modeled on Napoleon's tomb in Paris; the Capitol has one of the most impressive collections of limestone and marble in any state government building in the country)), home of Floral Clock (the famous Frankfort Floral Clock — a 34-foot diameter floral clock on the Capitol grounds, one of the most photographed tourist attractions in Kentucky), a diverse Franklin County community with a significant state government employee, African-American, and Bluegrass Region population — draws its municipal water supply from the Kentucky River via the City of Frankfort Water Division. Water hardness in Frankfort measures 195.5 mg/L — classified as hard.

Frankfort's hard supply reflects the north-central Kentucky Franklin County Kentucky River Inner Bluegrass limestone karst's calcareous character. The Kentucky River drains the Ordovician Lexington Limestone (calcareous). City of Frankfort applies limited softening, producing the hard 195.5 mg/L.

At 195.5 mg/L, Frankfort residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling and water softeners are recommended. City of Frankfort Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Kentucky DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.