Okolona Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.7 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
600.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.63
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 Okolona, your appliances are currently losing 31% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Okolona | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -79% |
| Washing Machine | 4.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -59% |
| Water Heater | 6.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -59% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Okolona compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Okolona, Kentucky | 235 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Newburg, Kentucky | 195 mg/L | 6.1 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 Okolona compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Okolona | 235 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Okolona's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Okolona, Kentucky, in Jefferson County — a Jefferson County community adjacent to Louisville and Pleasure Ridge Park in the south Louisville metro corridor — receives its municipal water from the Louisville Water Company (LWC), drawing from the Ohio River at the Louisville intake (Jefferson County) through the LWC Crescent Hill and Morris Forman filtration plants.
The very hard 235 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 600.8 mg/L are significantly harder than the Saint Matthews Jefferson County reading (161 mg/L, TDS 341.6), suggesting Okolona lies in a distribution zone with more concentrated source water or one that draws more from the Ohio River at times of lower flow and higher carbonate loading. The Ohio River at Louisville carries substantial Ordovician Lexington Limestone (Kentucky Bluegrass carbonate), Silurian Niagara Dolomite (Indiana-Ohio), and Wabash River tributary carbonate loading.
At 235 mg/L, Okolona's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended. Scale builds rapidly on all heating surfaces, appliance lifespans are significantly shortened, and water heaters require annual descaling without softening. The PFAS level of 7.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Louisville industrial waterfront, the Ohio River PFAS complex (Indiana-Ohio industrial upstream sources), and the Kentucky PFAS background contribute to Okolona's readings.
Geology & Source: Okolona in Jefferson County draws from Louisville Water Company on the Ohio River (Jefferson County, Kentucky) — the Ohio drains the Midwest carbonate platform (Ordovician Lexington Limestone, Silurian Niagara Dolomite) — Kentucky Jefferson County Ohio River carbonate drainage produces very hard water at 235 mg/L with TDS 600.8 mg/L in this Jefferson County Kentucky city.