Shively Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
14 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
618.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.64
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 Shively, your appliances are currently losing 32% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Shively | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -80% |
| Washing Machine | 4.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -61% |
| Water Heater | 6 yrs | 15 yrs | -60% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Shively compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Shively, Kentucky | 239.5 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Pleasure Ridge Park, Kentucky | 165.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Louisville, Kentucky | 143.5 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| New Albany, Indiana | 120.5 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Valley Station, Kentucky | 126.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Shively compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Shively | 239.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Shively's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Shively, Kentucky, in Jefferson County — a Jefferson County city adjacent to Louisville and Pleasure Ridge Park in the west Louisville suburb — receives its municipal water from Louisville Water Company, drawing from the Ohio River (Jefferson County) through the Louisville Water Company treatment plant.
The very hard 239.5 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 618.1 mg/L reflect the Louisville metro Ohio River supply's intense Ordovician-Silurian limestone character — consistent with other Louisville Water Company communities (Burlington KY: 136 mg/L is somewhat softer, drawing from a different inlet zone). The Ohio River at Jefferson County (Louisville) is underlain by Ordovician Lexington Limestone (very high purity calcareous limestone — primary hardness contributor), Silurian Louisville Limestone (calcareous — secondary hardness contributor), and Devonian New Albany Shale (slightly calcareous, TDS contributor). The concentrated Ohio River limestone carbonate dissolution produces the very hard Louisville metro supply.
At 239.5 mg/L with TDS 618, Shively'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 7.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Jefferson County Louisville industrial corridor and the Ohio River PFAS background from the Kentucky-Indiana industrial complex (including the Louisville AFFF industrial legacy and the DuPont Washington Works PFAS from upstream Ohio River) contribute to Shively's readings.
Geology & Source: Shively in Jefferson County draws from Louisville Water Company on the Ohio River (Jefferson County, north Kentucky) — the Ohio at Jefferson County drains the Ohio Valley (Ordovician Lexington Limestone, Silurian Louisville Limestone — calcareous) — Kentucky Jefferson County Ohio River Ordovician-Silurian limestone watershed produces very hard water at 239.5 mg/L with TDS 618.1 mg/L in this Jefferson County Kentucky city.