• The pH of your drinking water is 8.2.
• Water hardness is measured as calcium carbonate. Usually when hardness is lower than 60 mg/l the water is “soft.” When hardness is higher than 180 mg/l the water is “hard.” LWC water is moderately hard, at 165 mg/l. That equals 9.6 grains of calcium carbonate per gallon.
• Sodium level in LWC drinking water is 30 mg/l.
• Calcium level in LWC drinking water is 47 mg/l.
• Your drinking water contains fluoride. Fluoride is naturally occurring in the environment; LWC adds fluoride to equal one part per million. Public water utilities in Kentucky are required to add fluoride to drinking water to help maintain strong teeth.
• Some areas may experience temporary discolored water due to several causes, including fire department hydrant flushing, water or sewer construction activities. To ensure effectiveness, fire departments must test and maintain fire hydrants. These activities occur from April through October and may peak during the summer months.
• If a fire department opens a hydrant, it may disrupt the normal flow and pressure of the water mains and can result in the release of rust into the water lines. Construction activities can cause pipes to be jolted or vibrated. These activities may cause your water to appear red, yellow or brown. It is usually temporary and will return to clear within a short time. Running the water in your home or from a garden hose may shorten the duration.

If your water does not clear up within a short time or if you still have concerns, comments or questions, please contact our Customer Call Center at (502) 583-6610.

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Lead Information

• Louisville Water Company exceeds all Environmental Protection Agency standards for lead in drinking water. Water from LWC treatment plants does not contain lead. Testing in the water treatment plants, the distribution system and at the customer’s tap confirm that lead in drinking water does NOT pose a health threat to LWC customers.
• LWC also treats the water to make it less corrosive and has been practicing corrosion control since the early 1980s. Proper adjustment of pH, alkalinity and hardness create very stable water. Corrosion control prevents lead from home plumbing and service lines from leaching lead into the drinking water.
• Remember, LWC lead levels are well below what’s required by EPA. We test “worst-case scenario” homes known to have lead service lines or copper lines with lead solder in the heat of the summer.
• Customers may notice a white chalky substance inside home plumbing. The protective layer of calcium carbonate is a buffer between the water and any lead that may be in home plumbing or service lines.
• LWC has more than 290,000 water services in the distribution system; about 19,700 are lead. Based on LWC's extensive monitoring and our treatment methods, these lead services do NOT pose a health risk.
• LWC has three very aggressive initiatives to remove lead service lines: our Lead Service Line Replacement Program, our Main Replacement and Rehabilitation Program, and removal of lead service lines found during routine maintenance. We expect to replace all lead service lines by 2020.
• A partnership with the Health Department is another critical component of our commitment to remove lead from the environment. We work with Health Department officials and will conduct lead testing whenever they request it.
• Lead is found throughout the environment. It is most often found in lead-based paint (in older buildings), contaminated soil, certain types of pottery and porcelain and air pollution.
• Homes and buildings built before 1938 may contain lead pipes or plumbing joined by lead solder. Customers who have lead plumbing may want to consider having it replaced. Water should be tested first to see if there is a problem.
• All customers should flush any tap water that has been sitting in pipes for several hours. Let the cold water tap run, until you feel the temperature change (usually about 30 seconds). This ensures you get fresh water from the main.

If you suspect that your home might contain lead plumbing, LWC will perform a free lead test. Contact our Customer Call Center at (502) 583-6610.