Independence Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.1 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
112.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.19
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 Independence, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Independence | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -14% |
| Washing Machine | 11 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -15% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Independence compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Independence, Kentucky | 70.5 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Erlanger, Kentucky | 121 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Florence, Kentucky | 176 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Covington, Kentucky | 132 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Newport, Kentucky | 197 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Independence compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Independence | 70.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Independence's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Independence, Kentucky, the Kenton County seat — a major north Kentucky Cincinnati suburban community (Independence is the Kenton County seat — a significant north Kentucky Cincinnati suburb; Independence is one of the most rapidly growing communities in northern Kentucky, driven by Cincinnati metropolitan expansion into the outer northern Kentucky suburbs; the Kenton County corridor including Independence, Taylor Mill, and Erlanger is one of the primary northern Kentucky residential destinations for Cincinnati area families seeking larger homes and lower Kentucky taxes relative to Ohio; Independence is the governmental center for Kenton County (the Kenton County Justice Center and administrative offices are in Independence)), a diverse Kenton County community with a primarily working-class and middle-class Cincinnati metropolitan family population, adjacent to Covington and Florence in the north Kentucky corridor — draws its municipal water supply from the Ohio River via the Northern Kentucky Water District. Water hardness in Independence measures 70.5 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Independence's moderate softness reflects the north Kentucky Kenton County Ohio River supply's effective treatment. The Ohio River at NKWD intakes is treated to produce the moderately soft 70.5 mg/L.
With hardness at 70.5 mg/L, Independence residents enjoy moderately soft water. Northern Kentucky Water District 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 — the Kenton County north Kentucky Cincinnati suburban Independence corridor (Ordovician calcareous Ohio River Valley limestone — the calcareous north Kentucky Kenton County Ohio River Valley corridor; effective treatment); moderately soft supply at 70.5 mg/L in Kenton County.