Ohio River

River · Midwest/Southeast

Serves 13 cities in our database · ~3,089,516 residents

140
Avg Hardness (PPM)
13.4
Avg PFAS (ppt)
1.3
Avg Lead (ppb)
13
Cities Served
Soft
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
140 PPM Hard
CONTAMINANT LEVELS Hardness 140 PPM TDS 201 PPM PFAS 13.4 ppt Lead 1.3 ppb Chlorine 1.1 mg/L Nitrate 0.6 mg/L

About Ohio River

The Ohio River provides drinking water to over 5 million people across six states. It forms at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers in Pittsburgh and flows 981 miles to the Mississippi.

Geography & Hydrology

The Ohio River drains 203,000 square miles across 14 states. It passes through major industrial cities including Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Louisville. Despite decades of cleanup, industrial legacy contamination remains a concern.

How Ohio River Water Is Treated

Conventional treatment with activated carbon for industrial contaminants. Most utilities add granular activated carbon or powdered activated carbon to address organic compounds. Cincinnati pioneered the use of GAC treatment in the 1990s.

Across the 13 cities we track, water from Ohio River averages 140 PPM hardness (Hard), ranging from 120 to 195 PPM. This is moderately hard - many homeowners notice scale buildup on fixtures over time.

PFAS concern: Cities supplied by Ohio River average 13.4 ppt PFAS, exceeding the 2024 EPA limit of 4 ppt. An NSF P473 certified filter is recommended for drinking water.

Current Challenges

Industrial legacy contamination, PFAS from chemical manufacturing along the river corridor, harmful algal blooms in warmer months, and pharmaceutical contamination from upstream wastewater treatment plants.

Cities Supplied by Ohio River

Water quality varies by city due to local treatment, distribution infrastructure, and source blending.

Louisville, KY

130 PPM · Hard 764,769 residents

Louisville Downtown, KY

130 PPM · Hard 764,769 residents

Cincinnati, OH

123 PPM · Hard 750,200 residents

Covington, KY

140 PPM · Hard 199,460 residents

Evansville, IN

130 PPM · Hard 182,444 residents

Jeffersonville, IN

195 PPM · Very Hard 104,445 residents

Huntington, WV

150 PPM · Hard 98,647 residents

Paducah, KY

120 PPM · Hard 65,004 residents

Owensboro, KY

157 PPM · Hard 60,473 residents

Parkersburg, WV

120 PPM · Hard 34,251 residents

Wheeling, WV

135 PPM · Hard 29,899 residents

Florence, KY

145 PPM · Hard 29,351 residents

Coraopolis, PA

140 PPM · Hard 5,804 residents

Recommended for Ohio River Water

Based on average water quality across 13 cities supplied by Ohio River.

Salt-Free Conditioner SpringWell FutureSoft ~$1,549 PFAS Filter Clearly Filtered Pitcher ~$90 Test Your Tap Home Water Test Kit ~$30

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission on purchases. Recommendations based on water quality data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ohio River water safe to drink?
Water from Ohio River meets EPA safety standards in all served cities. However, average PFAS levels of 13.4 ppt exceed the 2024 EPA health guideline. A certified water filter is recommended for drinking water.
Why is Ohio River water moderately hard?
Ohio River water picks up dissolved calcium and magnesium from the geological formations along its path. At 140 PPM average, this makes it hard.
How many people drink Ohio River water?
Ohio River supplies drinking water to 13 cities in our database, serving approximately 3,089,516 residents. The largest cities include Louisville, KY; Louisville Downtown, KY; Cincinnati, OH.
Do I need a water filter for Ohio River water?
Yes. With PFAS averaging 13.4 ppt, a reverse osmosis or activated carbon filter is recommended. Look for NSF P473 certification.