How does Paducah's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Paducah (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Paducah Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

7.9

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.003 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

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

Appliance	In Paducah	Soft Water City	Efficiency 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 Paducah compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Paducah, Kentucky	≈ 120–179 mg/L	52.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Mayfield, Kentucky	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Murray, Kentucky	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Marion, Illinois	≈ 180+ mg/L	11.2 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Martin, Tennessee	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Paducah compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Paducah	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Paducah's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 94 mg/LpH: 7.9

Paducah Water Works (PW) serves McCracken County and the city of Paducah, Kentucky, treating water sourced from the Ohio River at its facility capable of producing nearly 20 million gallons per day. The utility operates in coordination with the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) and serves ZIP codes including 42003 alongside smaller systems such as Locust Valley Mobile Est. The treatment process meets or exceeds state regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance with EPA standards.

The Ohio River watershed drains a vast area rich in Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, including Mississippian limestones — such as the Ste. Genevieve and Bethel Formations — and Pennsylvanian coal measures. Local geology in McCracken County features Quaternary alluvial deposits overlying limestone and chert rubble aquifers. These carbonate formations dissolve minerals including calcium and magnesium as river water and groundwater interact with bedrock, resulting in a hard supply with elevated mineral content.

Hard water leads to scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Faucets and showerheads may clog, causing reduced flow and spots on dishes or glassware. Regular vinegar cleaning of fixtures, scale-inhibiting filters, and annual water heater flushing are recommended. A water softener is advised for households to improve soap efficiency and extend appliance life. Tap water in Paducah meets all EPA Maximum Contaminant Level Goals, with over 193 contaminants tested below health-based guidelines; check annual Consumer Confidence Reports at pwwky.com for the latest details.

Geology & Source: Ohio River watershed; Mississippian Ste. Genevieve and Bethel limestone and dolomite, plus McCracken County Quaternary alluvium — carbonate dissolution produces hard water

Other Kentucky Water Reports

Mayfield

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Murray

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Marion

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Martin

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paducah's water safe to drink?

Yes. Paducah'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 Paducah?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Paducah'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 Paducah compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Paducah (≈ 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 Paducah 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

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.