Somerset Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.3 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.5
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: 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 Somerset, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Somerset | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -22% |
| Washing Machine | 10.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -14% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Somerset compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Somerset, Kentucky | 90 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Berea, Kentucky | 157.5 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Danville, Kentucky | 182.5 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Richmond, Kentucky | 60.5 mg/L | 2.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Campbellsville, Kentucky | 170.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Somerset compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Somerset | 90 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Somerset home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Somerset's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Somerset, Kentucky, in Pulaski County — the Pulaski County seat adjacent to Science Hill and Nancy on Lake Cumberland in south-central Kentucky — receives its water from the Somerset Utility Commission, drawing from Lake Cumberland on the Cumberland River through the south-central Kentucky distribution.
The soft 90 mg/L hardness and TDS of 153.4 mg/L reflect the Pulaski County Lake Cumberland supply's soft character — the Mississippian Ste. Genevieve and St. Louis Limestones are calcareous formations in the Kentucky Highland Rim, but the large reservoir dilution from forested Appalachian headwaters produces soft to moderately soft water (compare Science Hill KY: 88/148 in Pulaski County comparable; Nancy KY: 92/158 in Pulaski County comparable; Somerset consistent soft from the same Pulaski County Lake Cumberland Mississippian calcareous supply). The Cumberland River watershed — Mississippian Ste. Genevieve Limestone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Mississippian St. Louis Limestone (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Cumberland alluvium (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 90 mg/L with TDS 153, Somerset's water is soft — minimal scale buildup. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 3.6 ppt is low — a clean result for south-central Kentucky. Review the Somerset Utility Commission's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Somerset in Pulaski County draws from the Somerset Water on Lake Cumberland (Pulaski County, south-central Kentucky) — the Cumberland River watershed at Pulaski County drains Mississippian Ste. Genevieve Limestone (calcareous) and Mississippian St. Louis Limestone (calcareous) — Kentucky Pulaski County Lake Cumberland Mississippian calcareous supply produces soft water at 90 mg/L with TDS 153.4 mg/L.