LOUISVILLE, Ky. — At least 45% of tap water in the U.S. could contain one or more “forever chemicals,” according to recent estimates. Spectrum News recently got an inside look behind the scenes to see how the Louisville Water Company keeps their water clean and safe to drink and use.

What You Need To Know

  • About one million people drink Louisville tap water daily 

  • The company does over 200 tests every day at every step to make sure the water is high quality

  • Louisville Water Company oversees two treatment plants and 4,200 miles of water main

  • The Louisville Water Company says they’ve had zero water quality violations for the 16th consecutive year and that it meets all state and federal health standards

The study from the U.S. Geological survey estimates that at least 45% of tap water in the country could have one or more “forever chemicals.” A map from the study shows all sampling locations nationwide. So how are scientists in Kentucky protecting our water?

The way Louisville Water Company’s Kelley Dearing Smith sees it, there’s a story inside every glass of water. Beyond the good taste, she said there’s research, innovation and science advancements inside.

The Louisville Water Company started as Kentucky’s first public drinking water provider back in 1860. About a million people drink their water every day, Dearing Smith said. They say it’s so good, they’re the only water provider who has ever trademarked their tap water—called Louisville Pure Tap. Water quality is incredibly important.

“Once the water leaves the water treatment plant, there’s no bringing it back. So, there are no second changes. There is no guessing in what we do,” Dearing Smith said. “So we have to be absolutely positive that that water is high quality and safe to drink. We’ve been doing it since 1860 and we’re incredibly proud to be from this community.”

When it comes to the U.S. Geological survey, Louisville Water’s research director, Peter Goodmann, said it really serves to fill an “information gap.”

“They had some data, that data is considerably old given the methodologies have changed,” Goodmann said. “We know the amount of PFAS in our waters is decreasing, because the production’s fallen off.”

The day after the USGS survey was released in July, the Louisville Water Company sent Spectrum News a statement, saying

“Louisville Water’s core mission is protecting public health. The quality of the community’s drinking water is our priority. And we take all necessary steps to ensure high-quality and safe drinking water.

In fact, Louisville Water’s most recent monitoring shows that the levels of PFAS we see in the Ohio River and in our finished drinking water are below the proposed EPA regulations. Our scientists have done research and monitoring for several years, and we continue to do that. PFAS chemicals are manufactured chemicals that you do not find in nature, so part of our strategy looks at the best available treatment options to lower amounts we see.

Our community should know that Louisville’s drinking water is high quality and meets the regulations required for safe water.”

The company does over 200 tests every day at every step to make sure the water is of high quality. They oversee two treatment plants and 4,200 miles of water main. They said they achieved all of their treatment and distribution water quality goals in 2022.

“We do testing every day of different parts of our treatment system. We want to make sure they’re working correctly. That’s operational testing. Plus, we have remote monitoring within the system with automatic samplers and analysis. We probably have 40,000 data points on a daily basis and this lab is doing several hundred analysis a day,” Goodmann explained.

Smith walked Spectrum News through the filter gallery of the Crescent Hill Water Treatment Plant. She said it’s the last step before water comes out your faucet.

“What’s happening here is the water has been settled. We’ve disinfected the water, and now we’re gonna move it slowly through a filter that’s made of anthracite, coal.” Dearing Smith explained while walking through the filter gallery.

Bottom line… it’s safe to drink up!

“I want you to be confident about drinking your water. You do not need to worry whether Louisville water has the health of this community at the core of what we do. We do, and we’re going to make sure the water that comes out of your faucet is high quality and safe to drink,” Dearing Smith explained.

You can read the USGS report for yourself here. You can also read the latest water quality report from the Louisville Water Company here.

The Louisville Water Company says they’ve had zero water quality violations for the 16th consecutive year and that it meets all state and federal health standards.