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Mayfield Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

8.4

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

503.7 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Mayfield, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn MayfieldSoft Water CityEfficiency 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 Mayfield compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Mayfield, Kentucky≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Paducah, Kentucky≈ 120–179 mg/L52.7 ppt🟠 Hardriver
Murray, Kentucky≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Martin, Tennessee≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Union City, Tennessee≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater

National Benchmark

How Mayfield compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Mayfield≈ 120–179 mg/L🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Mayfield's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 503.7 mg/LpH: 8.4

Mayfield Electric & Water Systems draws its water supply from the Claiborne aquifer, a significant groundwater source underlying western Kentucky. This aquifer, found within an Eocene sand formation, provides the raw water that is then treated and distributed by the Graves County Water District. The district manages operations for various interconnected systems, including Mayfield, Consumers, Fancy Farm, Hardeman, Hickory, Sedalia, and South Graves. These wells tap into the abundant groundwater reserves, ensuring a consistent supply for the community's needs.

The Claiborne aquifer is geologically characterized by Eocene-age sand deposits. As groundwater percolates through these ancient sands and the associated mineral layers, it naturally dissolves calcium and magnesium. This geological process is the fundamental reason why the water from this aquifer exhibits a hard quality. The mineral-rich nature of the Eocene formations is the primary factor contributing to the water's dissolved mineral content, defining its hardness characteristics for the Mayfield region.

Residents in Mayfield often encounter the effects of hard water, such as scale buildup on plumbing fixtures and potential impacts on the lifespan of appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. You might notice those telltale white mineral deposits on faucets and showerheads. To combat these issues, regular descaling of appliances is a good practice. Many households find that installing a whole-house water softener or a point-of-use system significantly reduces these hardness-related problems, improving soap lathering and appliance efficiency. For specific details on water quality parameters, consulting the annual Consumer Confidence Report from Mayfield Electric & Water Systems or the Graves County Water District is recommended.

Geology & Source: Claiborne aquifer (Eocene sand formation); dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals from sand deposits create hard water

Other Kentucky Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mayfield's water safe to drink?
Yes. Mayfield's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in Mayfield?
At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Mayfield's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.
How does Mayfield compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Mayfield (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Mayfield is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

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.

Measured

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.

Modelled

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.

Calculated

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.