Henderson Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
river
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
380.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Henderson, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Henderson | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Henderson compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Henderson, Kentucky | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Evansville, Indiana | 135 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Owensboro, Kentucky | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Madisonville, Kentucky | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Vincennes, Indiana | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Henderson compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Henderson | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Henderson's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Henderson Water Utility (HWU) serves the City of Henderson and portions of Henderson County, Kentucky. The utility operates water treatment facilities drawing from multiple sources within the Green River watershed system. Annual water quality reports are published and available through the utility's official website and customer service line at 270-826-2421. Detailed water quality data, compliance records, and historical testing results are accessible through the utility's website at hkywater.org.
The Henderson area sits within the Green River basin, underlain by Mississippian-age limestone and shale formations characteristic of western Kentucky's karst and semi-karst terrain. These carbonate bedrock units naturally dissolve as groundwater and surface water move through them, introducing significant concentrations of calcium and magnesium minerals. The geology of the region produces a hard water supply, consistent with regional hydrogeological patterns across western Kentucky.
At hard hardness levels, Henderson residents can expect scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside water heaters and dishwashers. Soap and detergent effectiveness is reduced, and laundry may appear dingy over time. Water heaters and appliances with heating elements experience accelerated mineral accumulation, reducing efficiency and lifespan. A water softener is recommended for households seeking to reduce these effects and extend appliance longevity. The utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report detailing pH, turbidity, lead and copper compliance testing, and other regulated contaminants, with lead action levels maintained in compliance with EPA standards.
Geology & Source: Green River watershed; Mississippian-age limestone and shale — carbonate bedrock dissolves readily, releasing calcium and magnesium; produces hard water typical of western Kentucky
Other Kentucky Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Henderson's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Henderson?
How does Henderson compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Henderson is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
Water Hardness
Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
TDS — Total Dissolved Solids
Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.
PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.
Lead
Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Appliance Lifespan
Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.