Lexington-Fayette Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
14.4 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
648.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.66
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 Lexington-Fayette, your appliances are currently losing 33% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Lexington-Fayette | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -63% |
| Water Heater | 5.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -62% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Lexington-Fayette compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky | 247 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Lexington, Kentucky | 245.5 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Georgetown, Kentucky | 235 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Nicholasville, Kentucky | 199.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Winchester, Kentucky | 59 mg/L | 2.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | river |
National Benchmark
How Lexington-Fayette compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lexington-Fayette | 247 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Lexington-Fayette's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Lexington-Fayette — the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government — is the same metropolitan area as Lexington, Kentucky, governed under a merged city-county structure since 1974. Water is supplied by Kentucky American Water Company (KAWC), drawing from the Kentucky River at Pool 7 on the Kentucky River Authority impoundment system. KAWC's Kentucky River Water Treatment Plant processes all incoming supply for the Lexington-Fayette urban area. The Kentucky River supply at this intake reflects flow from across the eastern Kentucky Appalachian headwaters watershed — including portions of the coal fields — and Inner Bluegrass Region tributaries. Kentucky American also maintains emergency interconnections with surrounding county water systems for drought resilience.
Lexington-Fayette's hardness of 247 mg/L reflects the carbonate geology of the Inner Bluegrass karst region — among the most continuous Ordovician limestone exposures in the eastern United States. The Lexington Limestone, Tyrone Limestone, and High Bridge Group formations underlying the Bluegrass Region are composed of highly pure calcium carbonate deposited approximately 450 million years ago in a warm Ordovician tropical sea. These limestones dissolved gradually into the Kentucky River and its Bluegrass tributaries over geologic time, creating the rolling karst landscape of sinkholes, springs, and losing streams that characterizes the region. The slightly higher reading than the Lexington-only figure reflects measurement variation in blended distribution across the full Fayette County service area.
Lexington-Fayette residents experience the same moderately hard Bluegrass water challenges — visible white scale on fixtures and shower glass, reduced soap efficiency, and dishwasher spotting. Monthly descaling of showerheads and frequent attention to coffee maker and kettle maintenance are standard household routines. Many residents install point-of-use reverse-osmosis filters at the kitchen sink for drinking and cooking water. Whole-house water softeners are popular for appliance protection and improved cleaning experience, and are widely available from local service providers across the Lexington metro area.
Geology & Source: Kentucky River over Ordovician Lexington Limestone and Tyrone Limestone of Inner Bluegrass carbonate karst — moderately hard river supply from classic Kentucky limestone terrain