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

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Radcliff (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L harder than average.

Radcliff Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

7.7

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

573.5 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.91

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

very hard180+ mg/LVery Hard · 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 Radcliff, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Radcliff	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	4.7 yrs	8.5 yrs	-45%
Washing Machine	6.6 yrs	12 yrs	-45%
Water Heater	8.3 yrs	15 yrs	-45%

Regional Water Comparison

How Radcliff compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Radcliff, Kentucky	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Fort Knox, Kentucky	≈ 120–179 mg/L	6.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Elizabethtown, Kentucky	≈ 120–179 mg/L	50.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Shepherdsville, Kentucky	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Valley Station, Kentucky	135 mg/L	4.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Radcliff compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Radcliff	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 High
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Radcliff's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 573.5 mg/LpH: 7.7

Radcliff, Kentucky is served by Hardin County Water District #1/Ft. Knox Water Company, headquartered at 1400 Rogersville Road, Radcliff, KY 40160. The utility serves approximately 24,357 residents across Hardin County and sources its water supply from surface water. Treatment is provided via conventional filtration with chloramines and chlorine as disinfectants. The utility currently meets all EPA Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs).

The water supply originates from surface sources flowing through karst terrain dominated by limestone and chalk formations. These soluble carbonate rocks are characteristic of Kentucky's geological landscape and significantly influence water chemistry. As water travels through this karst system, it dissolves substantial quantities of calcium and magnesium minerals, creating a naturally hard supply. The karst geology of the region is the primary driver of the elevated mineral content in Hardin County's water supply.

Radcliff's water is classified as very hard, meaning residents will experience significant scale buildup in water heaters, kettles, and pipes, as well as reduced soap and detergent effectiveness and potential staining on fixtures. A water softener is strongly recommended to protect appliances and extend plumbing lifespan. The utility's water quality reports indicate the supply may contain elevated levels of certain contaminants including N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and bromodichloroacetic acid; residents are advised to consult the utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report for detailed compliance data and treatment information.

Geology & Source: Karst terrain, Kentucky — surface water flows through limestone and chalk formations; soluble carbonate bedrock dissolves high concentrations of calcium and magnesium, producing very hard supply typical of south-central Kentucky

Other Kentucky Water Reports

Fort Knox

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Elizabethtown

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Shepherdsville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Valley Station

135 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 Radcliff's water safe to drink?

Yes. Radcliff's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Radcliff?

At ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), Radcliff'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 45%.

How does Radcliff compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Radcliff (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L above the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Radcliff 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.