Is London, KY Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, London tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 85 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where London Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How London Compares
London's water is 38% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 60% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Kentucky, it ranks #13 of 13 cities (39% below the state average of 139 PPM). Among smaller cities, London ranks #142 of 288 for hardness.
What London's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 85 PPM - Low Concern
London's water is moderately hard at 85 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. London's water has TTHMs at 48.9 ppb and HAA5 at 26.3 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
London's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 48.9 ppb (61% of the legal limit, but 326x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 26.3 ppb (44% of the legal limit, but 263x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 85 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 145 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 3.2 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 2 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.1 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | Not reported | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | N/A |
Recommendations for London Homes
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.1 mg/L chlorine, many London residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in London
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request London Utility Commission's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About London's Water Supply
Water Utility: London Utility Commission
Water Source: Laurel River Lake (Surface Water)
Population Served: 8,855
Hardness: 85 PPM (5 grains per gallon)
London's drinking water comes from surface sources — Laurel River Lake. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 9,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request London Utility Commission's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by London Utility Commission in London, KY, including ZIP codes:
37892, 40402, 40409, 40434, 40445, 40447, 40456, 40460, 40473, 40486, 40488, 40489, 40492, 40701, 40702, 40724, 40729, 40730, 40734, 40737, 40740, 40741, 40742, 40743, 40744, 40745, 40750, 40755, 40759, 40763, 40769, 40771, 40801, 40803, 40806, 40808, 40810, 40813, 40815, 40816, 40818, 40819, 40824, 40827, 40828, 40829, 40830, 40831, 40840, 40844, 40845, 40847, 40849, 40854, 40856, 40858, 40863, 40865, 40868, 40870, 40873, 40874, 40902, 40903, 40906, 40913, 40914, 40915, 40921, 40923, 40930, 40932, 40935, 40939, 40940, 40941, 40943, 40944, 40946, 40949, 40951, 40953, 40955, 40958, 40962, 40964, 40972, 40977, 40979, 40981, 40982, 40983, 40988, 40995, 40997, 41310, 41314, 41317, 41339, 41347, 41348, 41351, 41364, 41366, 41367, 41386, 41390, 41701, 41702, 41712, 41713, 41714, 41719, 41721, 41722, 41723, 41725, 41727, 41729, 41731, 41735, 41736, 41739, 41740, 41743, 41745, 41746, 41749, 41751, 41754, 41759, 41760, 41762, 41763, 41764, 41766, 41772, 41773, 41774, 41775, 41776, 41777, 41778, 41804, 41817, 41819, 41821, 41822, 41826, 41828, 41831, 41832, 41834, 41836, 41839, 41843, 41844, 41847, 41861, 41862, 42501, 42502, 42503, 42516, 42518, 42519, 42528, 42533, 42544, 42553, 42558, 42564, 42565, 42566, 42567, 42629, 42631, 42633, 42634, 42635, 42638, 42642, 42647, 42649, 42653
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare London to Other Kentucky Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About London Water
Is London tap water safe to drink?
Where does London's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in London?
What is the hardness of London water in grains per gallon?
What are disinfection byproducts in London's water?
Why does London water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink London tap water straight from the faucet?
How does London compare to the Kentucky average?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What London Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 85 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on London's water data.