Henderson Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Henderson, Kentucky, the Henderson County seat — a major northwest Kentucky Ohio River city (Henderson is the Henderson County seat — a significant northwest Kentucky city on the Ohio River across from Evansville, Indiana; Henderson is most historically significant as the home of John James Audubon (the most celebrated naturalist and bird artist in American history — Audubon lived in Henderson from 1810 to 1819 and painted some of his most significant early bird illustrations while working as a merchant in the city; the John James Audubon State Park and Museum in Henderson is one of the most important Audubon heritage sites in the country)), a diverse Henderson County community with a significant working-class, tobacco and agricultural heritage, and River Valley population, home of Henderson Community College (a significant Kentucky Community and Technical College System institution), adjacent to Evansville, Indiana in the Tri-State Ohio River Valley metro area, and a city with a rich Ohio River heritage — draws its municipal water supply from the Ohio River via the Henderson Water Utility. Water hardness in Henderson measures 173.5 mg/L — classified as hard.

Henderson's hard supply reflects the northwest Kentucky Ohio River Valley calcareous-moderate Mississippian limestone geology. The Ohio River at Henderson–Henderson County carries dissolved carbonates from Mississippian St. Louis Limestone (calcareous-moderate). Henderson Water Utility applies effective treatment, producing the hard 173.5 mg/L.

At 173.5 mg/L, Henderson residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling and water softeners are recommended. Henderson Water Utility consistently delivers water meeting all Kentucky DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.