Saint Matthews Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.4 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
341.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.43
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 Saint Matthews, your appliances are currently losing 21% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Saint Matthews | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -49% |
| Washing Machine | 7.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -37% |
| Water Heater | 9.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -39% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Saint Matthews compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Saint Matthews, Kentucky | 161 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Jeffersonville, Indiana | 133 mg/L | 3.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Newburg, Kentucky | 195 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Louisville, Kentucky | 143.5 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Jeffersontown, Kentucky | 105.5 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Saint Matthews compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Saint Matthews | 161 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Saint Matthews's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Saint Matthews, Kentucky, in Jefferson County — a Jefferson County city adjacent to Louisville and Lyndon in the east Louisville metropolitan area — 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 filtration plant.
The moderately hard 161 mg/L hardness and TDS of 341.6 mg/L reflect the Ohio River supply's Midwest carbonate drainage character — similar to other Ohio River corridor communities (Covington KY: 155 mg/L, Evansville IN: 163 mg/L). The Ohio River at Louisville drains the Appalachians and the Midwest carbonate platform — Ordovician Lexington Limestone (high-purity Kentucky Bluegrass carbonate), Silurian Niagara Dolomite (upper Ohio-Indiana), Devonian Columbus Limestone (Ohio-Indiana), and the Wabash-Cumberland River tributaries' carbonate loading.
At 161 mg/L, Saint Matthews' 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 5.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Louisville industrial corridor, the Ohio River PFAS complex (one of the most PFAS-contaminated river systems in the US from Ohio-Pennsylvania industrial sources), and the Kentucky PFAS background contribute to Saint Matthews' readings.
Geology & Source: Saint Matthews in Jefferson County draws from Louisville Water Company on the Ohio River (Jefferson County, Kentucky) — the Ohio River at Louisville drains the Appalachians and Midwest carbonate platform (Ordovician Lexington Limestone, Silurian Niagara Dolomite, Devonian Columbus Limestone) — Kentucky Jefferson County Ohio River Midwest carbonate drainage produces moderately hard water at 161 mg/L with TDS 341.6 mg/L in this Jefferson County Kentucky city.