Newburg Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.4 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
452.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.52
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 Newburg, your appliances are currently losing 26% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Newburg | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -62% |
| Washing Machine | 6.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -47% |
| Water Heater | 7.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -48% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Newburg compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Newburg, Kentucky | 195 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Okolona, Kentucky | 235 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Highview, Kentucky | 197.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Fern Creek, Kentucky | 150 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Saint Matthews, Kentucky | 161 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Newburg compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Newburg | 195 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Newburg home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Newburg's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Newburg, Kentucky, in Jefferson County — an unincorporated Jefferson County suburb southeast of Louisville in the Fern Creek-Newburg corridor, part of the Louisville metropolitan southeast suburban belt — receives its municipal water from the Louisville Water Company, which draws from the Ohio River at the Crescent Hill and Louisville Olmsted intake facilities, serving the greater Louisville metropolitan area including Newburg.
The moderately hard 195 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 452.4 mg/L reflect the Ohio River at Louisville's mixed drainage character. The Ohio River at Louisville receives drainage from the Appalachian Plateau (via the Big Sandy, Kanawha, and Licking Rivers — Pennsylvanian coal measures with carbonate lenses), the Kentucky Bluegrass Region (via the Kentucky River — Ordovician High Bridge and Lexington Limestone — extremely carbonate-rich), and the Indiana-Illinois carbonate platform. The combined drainage produces moderately hard water consistent with the Ohio Valley carbonate character throughout the Louisville metro area.
At 195 mg/L, Newburg's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Louisville industrial corridor (chemical manufacturing, DuPont and 3M operations in the Ohio Valley), Fort Knox (US Army Armor School — AFFF user in the Salt River-Kentucky River watershed), and the Ohio River industrial PFAS legacy contribute to Newburg's PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Newburg in Jefferson County draws from the Louisville Water Company treating the Ohio River — the Ohio River at Louisville drains the Appalachian Plateau, the Ohio Valley, and the Midwest carbonate platform (Ordovician-Devonian limestone, dolomite, and Pennsylvanian calcareous shale) — Ohio River mixed Appalachian and Midwest carbonate drainage produces moderately hard water at 195 mg/L with elevated TDS 452 mg/L in this Jefferson County Kentucky suburb.