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

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

Shively Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

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

$0.40

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

Appliance	In Shively	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 Shively compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Shively, Kentucky	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Pleasure Ridge Park, Kentucky	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Louisville, Kentucky	135 mg/L	10 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
New Albany, Indiana	182 mg/L	3.4 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Valley Station, Kentucky	135 mg/L	4.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Shively compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Shively	≈ 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 Shively's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 618.1 mg/LpH: 8.5

Shively, Kentucky receives its water from the Louisville Water Company, a prominent utility serving Jefferson County and nearby communities. This company draws its supply from the Ohio River, its primary surface water source, which is supplemented by groundwater from local aquifers. The Louisville metropolitan region, including Shively, benefits from this dual-source approach, ensuring a consistent flow of treated water.

The region's water originates from the Ordovician-age limestone and dolomite formations beneath Louisville. These ancient carbonate rock formations are highly soluble and readily dissolve minerals like calcium and magnesium as water passes through them. This natural geological process is the reason for the characteristically hard water supplied to Shively and the surrounding Ohio River valley.

Homeowners in Shively may notice scale deposits on fixtures and inside plumbing, which can impact appliance efficiency and longevity. You'll likely need more soap and detergent for cleaning tasks. To protect your appliances, such as water heaters and dishwashers, from accelerated wear due to mineral buildup, installing a water softener is a practical solution. The Louisville Water Company provides detailed water quality information in its annual Consumer Confidence Reports, which are available on their website.

Geology & Source: Louisville area Ordovician-age limestone and dolomite; soluble carbonate rock formations dissolve calcium and magnesium, yielding hard water

Other Kentucky Water Reports

Pleasure Ridge Park

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Louisville

135 mg/L

🟠 Hard

New Albany

182 mg/L

🔴 Very 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 Shively's water safe to drink?

Yes. Shively'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 Shively?

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

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