Meade County Water District

Water is purchased from Hardin County. Hardin Region Water District #1 operates three treatment facilities. Their water sources include Pirtle Spring and Head of Rough Spring (groundwater influenced by surface water), McCracken Spring (surface water for Ft. Knox Central Plant), and wells in the West Point aquifer near the Ohio River (for Ft. Knox Muldraugh Plant).

Contamination susceptibility is considered moderate overall, with several potential concerns including:

• Transport corridors and urban areas
• Agricultural activities
• Underground storage tanks and permitted outfalls
• Abandoned oil/gas wells and illegal dump sites
• Solvents and petroleum-based products

Source Water Assessment Plans are available for review at the Hardin County Water District #1 office, Fort Knox Environmental Office (Building 1110), or the Lincoln Trail Area Development District in Elizabethtown.

Brandenburg's water comes from wells near the Ohio River in Flippin Run Park. Their Wellhead Protection Plan indicates moderate to high contamination susceptibility, primarily from storage tanks and agricultural activities. Their Source Water Protection Plan is available at Brandenburg City Hall.

All drinking water, including bottled water, may contain small amounts of contaminants. These don't necessarily indicate health risks. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Water sources (tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals and can pick up substances from animal or human activity, including:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage, septic systems, or wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants from natural sources, stormwater runoff, or industrial processes
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture or residential use
• Organic chemicals from industrial processes or petroleum production
• Radioactive contaminants from natural sources or energy production

EPA regulations limit contaminant levels in public water systems, while FDA regulations cover bottled water. Immunocompromised individuals, cancer patients, transplant recipients, those with HIV/AIDS, elderly people, and infants may be particularly vulnerable to infections and should seek guidance from healthcare providers.

Regarding lead: If present, elevated lead levels can cause serious health issues, especially for pregnant women and children. Lead primarily comes from service lines and home plumbing materials. To minimize exposure, flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. For more information, contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or visit https://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

1. Is my water safe to drink? The City consistently exceeds State and Federal EPA guidelines. Our Water Supply & Treatment Division maintains standards higher than regulatory requirements to ensure the safest possible water.
2. How hard is my water and do I need a water softener? Water hardness averages approximately 14 mg/L (milligrams per liter) or 0.82 gpg (grains per gallon). Due to this low hardness level, water softeners are unnecessary. Soft water can actually save money by reducing detergent usage.
3. Should I use a water filter on my faucet? Point-of-use filters can be beneficial if properly maintained. These filters remove chlorine used for disinfection but may create environments for bacterial growth if not changed regularly according to manufacturer instructions.
4. Does my water contain fluoride? Yes. Fluoride is added to help protect children's teeth, which is an added benefit of being a municipal water customer.
5. Does my water contain lead? Should I have it tested? While there are no lead service lines in the municipal system, lead may enter through corrosion of household plumbing materials, including lead-based solder and brass fixtures. If your household includes young children or pregnant women, or if you believe your plumbing puts you at risk, consider water testing. Install only certified Lead Free faucet fixtures.
6. Is bottled water better for me to drink? The bottled water industry now follows stricter guidelines and must meet the same quality standards as municipalities. However, most bottled waters have had beneficial additives like fluoride filtered out, resulting in a more expensive product with fewer health benefits.