Newport Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.5 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
459.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.53
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 Newport, your appliances are currently losing 26% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Newport | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -64% |
| Washing Machine | 6.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -48% |
| Water Heater | 7.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -49% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Newport compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Newport, Kentucky | 197 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Covington, Kentucky | 132 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Cincinnati, Ohio | 196.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Fort Thomas, Kentucky | 186 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Norwood, Ohio | 255.5 mg/L | 10.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Newport compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Newport | 197 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Newport's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Newport, Kentucky, in Campbell County — a Campbell County city adjacent to Covington and Bellevue on the Ohio River across from Cincinnati, Ohio — receives its municipal water from the Newport Utility Board, drawing from the Ohio River (Campbell County) through the north Kentucky water treatment system.
The very hard 197 mg/L hardness and TDS of 459.4 mg/L reflect the north Kentucky Ohio River supply's intense Ordovician calcareous character — consistent with other Ohio River northern Kentucky communities (Covington: ~190 mg/L; Florence: ~195 mg/L). The Ohio River at Campbell County receives drainage from Ordovician Maysvillian Limestone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor at this Ohio River zone), Ordovician Cincinnati Group (calcareous shale-limestone alternations — dominant limestone exposure at north Kentucky), and Silurian Clinton Group (calcareous limestone). The Ordovician Cincinnati Arch calcareous formations produce the very hard north Kentucky supply.
At 197 mg/L with TDS 459, Newport's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended. Scale builds rapidly on all surfaces, appliance lifespans are significantly shortened, and water heaters require annual descaling without softening. The PFAS level of 6.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Campbell County north Kentucky Cincinnati metro industrial corridor and the Ohio River PFAS background from the upper Ohio industrial complex (Pittsburgh — PFAS-heavy industrial legacy migrating downstream) contribute to Newport's readings.
Geology & Source: Newport in Campbell County draws from the Newport Utility Board on the Ohio River (Campbell County, north Kentucky) — the Ohio at Campbell County receives drainage from Ordovician Maysvillian calcareous shale and Silurian Clinton Group limestone — Kentucky Campbell County Ohio River Ordovician-Silurian calcareous watershed produces very hard water at 197 mg/L with TDS 459.4 mg/L.