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

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Somerset (90 mg/L) is 61 mg/L softer than average.

Somerset Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

90mg/L

Moderately Hard

5.3 grains per gallon

Source

river

pH Level

4.6

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

153.4 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.24

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

90mg/L as CaCO₃Moderately Hard

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 Somerset, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Somerset	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	7.5 yrs	8.5 yrs	-12%
Washing Machine	10.6 yrs	12 yrs	-12%
Water Heater	13.2 yrs	15 yrs	-12%

Regional Water Comparison

How Somerset compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Somerset, Kentucky	90 mg/L	🟡 Moderately Hard	river
Berea, Kentucky	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	river
Danville, Kentucky	≈ 0–60 mg/L	🟢 Soft	river
Richmond, Kentucky	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Campbellsville, Kentucky	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Somerset compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Somerset	90 mg/L	🟡 Low
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Somerset's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 153.4 mg/LpH: 4.6

Somerset Water Service provides drinking water to the city of Somerset, Kentucky, and three surrounding communities, serving about 29,700 people. Their water comes from surface sources in the Cumberland River watershed. The utility treats this water at its facilities using conventional filtration, with chlorine and hypochlorite for disinfection. You can reach their customer service at 606-305-2675 or by mail at PO BOX 989, Somerset, KY 42502.

The water originates in the Cumberland River watershed, which drains a part of the southern Appalachian region. The geology here is mostly Pennsylvanian-age sedimentary rocks like sandstones, shales, and coal strata, characteristic of the Appalachian Basin. Below these layers are older Paleozoic formations, including limestone and dolomite from the Ordovician to Mississippian periods. These deeper rocks release minerals into the watershed, giving the river water a moderately mineralized quality.

Homeowners in Somerset might notice scale forming on faucets and a reduced lather from soaps due to the water's hardness. To combat mineral buildup, especially in appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, regular maintenance is a good idea. For those particularly bothered by hard water effects, installing a water softener could help improve soap performance and reduce scale in laundry and dishwashing. Somerset Water Service consistently meets EPA standards, with lead levels well below action levels, and their treatment processes effectively manage turbidity and microbes.

Geology & Source: Appalachian Basin sandstones, shales, and coal seams; underlying Paleozoic limestone and dolomite contribute moderate hardness

Other Kentucky Water Reports

Berea

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Danville

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Richmond

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Campbellsville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

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 Somerset's water safe to drink?

Yes. Somerset's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is 90 mg/L (Moderately Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Somerset?

Somerset's water is moderately hard at 90 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does Somerset compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Somerset (90 mg/L) is 61 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 Somerset 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.