Water Hardness in Tennessee
Across 27 measured cities — with 263 more covered by labeled county-level estimates — Tennessee's median tap water hardness is 74.1 mg/L (4.3 gpg): moderately hard on the USGS scale. Below: every covered city, the state's hardest and softest water, and the geology that explains it.
Data updated September 13, 2026. Sources: utility-reported water quality data and USGS/EPA Water Quality Portal samples.
What it costs to soften Tennessee water
Water softener cost in Tennessee at 4.3 gpg prices the equipment and the installation labour against the plumber wages published for Tennessee, and labels every range as modelled or measured rather than leaving you to guess which it is.
Tennessee · 4.33 grains per gallon
$940–$1,193
installed, midpoint $1,053 — a 24,000-grain unit, the size 4 people at this hardness need.
Salt and drain water over 10 years: $566–$1,182 — the 4,741,350 grains of hardness this household removes, at the national salt price and water rate whose sources are named below. Filter changes and Service contract are omitted rather than assumed.
Sized for 4 people regenerating every 7 days: 9,093 grains of capacity needed, rounded up to the next common residential size. The median of 27 measured Tennessee cities in our hardness dataset. Modelled: the standard build band published for that state at the size this hardness calls for, equipment priced 2026-10-04 against the May 2025 reference period (OEWS M2025). Salt: the median retailer price of 3 retailers, read 2026-10-04, at a declared salt dose per regeneration. Drain water: about 50 gallons per regeneration from a government extension estimate read 2026-10-04, at the 2024 national average water and sewer rate from a government source read 2026-10-04.
Deciding whether it is worth it at all? Start from how much a water softener costs nationally — the same equipment, installation and ten-year ownership breakdown before any state wage adjustment is applied.
Tennessee Cities by Hardness Category
Measured cities only — labeled county estimates never enter the category counts or the median.
| Category | Range | Measured cities | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft | 0-60 mg/L | 6 | 22.2% |
| Moderately hard | 60-120 mg/L | 18 | 66.7% |
| Hard | 120-180 mg/L | 3 | 11.1% |
| Very hard | >180 mg/L | 0 | 0.0% |
Hardest and Softest Water in Tennessee
Measured values only; labeled county estimates and values under active dispute never rank.
Hardest water in Tennessee
- Spring Hill — 138.0 mg/L (8.1 gpg), hard
- Oak Ridge — 132.0 mg/L (7.7 gpg), hard
- Columbia — 127.0 mg/L (7.4 gpg), hard
- Franklin — 106.0 mg/L (6.2 gpg), moderately hard
- Kingsport — 106.0 mg/L (6.2 gpg), moderately hard
Softest water in Tennessee
- Grandview — 18.2 mg/L (1.1 gpg), soft
- Bartlett — 36.1 mg/L (2.1 gpg), soft
- Memphis — 40.2 mg/L (2.4 gpg), soft
- Maryville — 45.9 mg/L (2.7 gpg), soft
- Cookeville — 57.1 mg/L (3.3 gpg), soft
Every Covered City in Tennessee
All 290 covered Tennessee cities, sorted by population served. "County estimate" rows are labeled context values from USGS/EPA Water Quality Portal county sampling — they never enter the median above. City names link to each city's full water quality page.
| City | Hardness (mg/L) | gpg | Category | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | 89.4 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Memphis | 40.2 | 2.4 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Knoxville | 83.6 | 4.9 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Clarksville | 70.8 | 4.1 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Chattanooga | 70.1 | 4.1 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Murfreesboro | 90.3 | 5.3 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Kingsport | 106.0 | 6.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Johnson City | 59.5 | 3.5 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| White House | 199.5 | 11.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Jackson | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Cleveland | 150.0 | 8.8 | Hard | County estimate |
| Morristown | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Mount Juliet | 84.4 | 4.9 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Columbia | 127.0 | 7.4 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Madison | 93.2 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Franklin | 106.0 | 6.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Hixson | 84.0 | 4.9 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Dickson | 155.0 | 9.1 | Hard | County estimate |
| Smyrna | 200.0 | 11.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Hendersonville | 90.9 | 5.3 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Spring Hill | 138.0 | 8.1 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Shelbyville | 130.0 | 7.6 | Hard | County estimate |
| Crossville | 33.0 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Bartlett | 36.1 | 2.1 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Gallatin | 77.1 | 4.5 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Maryville | 45.9 | 2.7 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Collierville | 51.0 | 3.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Cookeville | 57.1 | 3.3 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Clinton | 143.0 | 8.4 | Hard | County estimate |
| Lebanon | 77.5 | 4.5 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Seymour | 52.0 | 3.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Springfield | 199.5 | 11.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Fayetteville | 160.0 | 9.4 | Hard | County estimate |
| La Vergne | 200.0 | 11.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Germantown | 63.0 | 3.7 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Bristol | 233.0 | 13.6 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Sevierville | 52.0 | 3.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Oak Ridge | 132.0 | 7.7 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Lewisburg | 206.0 | 12.1 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Elizabethton | 39.7 | 2.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Millington | 51.0 | 3.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Lenoir City | 113.0 | 6.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Jonesborough | 247.0 | 14.4 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Dandridge | 257.0 | 15.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Nolensville | 61.7 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Sparta | 110.0 | 6.4 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Brentwood | 74.1 | 4.3 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Alcoa | 12.5 | 0.7 | Soft | County estimate |
| Rockford | 12.5 | 0.7 | Soft | County estimate |
| Kingston | 79.6 | 4.7 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Tullahoma | 80.9 | 4.7 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Lawrenceburg | 78.0 | 4.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Winchester | 93.4 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Munford | 56.0 | 3.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Jefferson City | 257.0 | 15.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Atoka | 56.0 | 3.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Beersheba Springs | 59.4 | 3.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Dyersburg | 38.0 | 2.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| La Follette | 105.0 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Harriman | 79.6 | 4.7 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Georgetown | 84.0 | 4.9 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Corryton | 128.5 | 7.5 | Hard | County estimate |
| Mascot | 128.5 | 7.5 | Hard | County estimate |
| Athens | 160.0 | 9.4 | Hard | County estimate |
| Rogersville | 137.0 | 8.0 | Hard | County estimate |
| Smithville | 85.0 | 5.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Dayton | 68.0 | 4.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Graysville | 74.0 | 4.3 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Covington | 56.0 | 3.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Hartsville | 254.0 | 14.8 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Portland | 104.0 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Rockwood | 79.6 | 4.7 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Church Hill | 137.0 | 8.0 | Hard | County estimate |
| Mount Carmel | 137.0 | 8.0 | Hard | County estimate |
| Selmer | 21.0 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Russellville | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Lafayette | 110.0 | 6.4 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Ocoee | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Savannah | 23.0 | 1.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Livingston | 140.0 | 8.2 | Hard | County estimate |
| McMinnville | 120.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Talbott | 257.0 | 15.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Pleasant View | 199.5 | 11.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Morrison | 120.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Union City | 33.7 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Ripley | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Grimsley | 89.0 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| New Tazewell | 220.0 | 12.9 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Blountville | 233.0 | 13.6 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Loudon | 113.0 | 6.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Madisonville | 74.0 | 4.3 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Trenton | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Pigeon Forge | 52.0 | 3.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Oakland | 17.0 | 1.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Pulaski | 133.0 | 7.8 | Hard | County estimate |
| Sweetwater | 74.0 | 4.3 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Bethpage | 104.0 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Vonore | 74.0 | 4.3 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Greeneville | 252.0 | 14.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Brownsville | 26.0 | 1.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Carthage | 88.0 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Paris | 29.0 | 1.7 | Soft | County estimate |
| Tennessee Ridge | 157.0 | 9.2 | Hard | County estimate |
| Lyles | 56.6 | 3.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Erwin | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Etowah | 160.0 | 9.4 | Hard | County estimate |
| Woodlawn | 156.0 | 9.1 | Hard | County estimate |
| Townsend | 12.5 | 0.7 | Soft | County estimate |
| Huntsville | 59.7 | 3.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Cumberland Gap | 220.0 | 12.9 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Wartburg | 21.0 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Parsons | 27.0 | 1.6 | Soft | County estimate |
| Mosheim | 252.0 | 14.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Manchester | 80.9 | 4.7 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Alamo | 36.0 | 2.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Jacksboro | 105.0 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Woodbury | 141.0 | 8.3 | Hard | County estimate |
| Centerville | 56.6 | 3.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Milan | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Prospect | 133.0 | 7.8 | Hard | County estimate |
| Hohenwald | 29.6 | 1.7 | Soft | County estimate |
| Oneida | 59.7 | 3.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Decherd | 93.4 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Estill Springs | 93.4 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Gainesboro | 96.0 | 5.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Mountain City | 47.0 | 2.8 | Soft | County estimate |
| Martin | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Luttrell | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Humboldt | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Mount Pleasant | 186.0 | 10.9 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Harrogate | 220.0 | 12.9 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Adamsville | 21.0 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Jasper | 80.3 | 4.7 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Mohawk | 252.0 | 14.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Bean Station | 130.0 | 7.6 | Hard | County estimate |
| Altamont | 59.4 | 3.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Palmer | 59.4 | 3.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Henderson | 13.7 | 0.8 | Soft | County estimate |
| Bluff City | 233.0 | 13.6 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Rickman | 140.0 | 8.2 | Hard | County estimate |
| Greenbrier | 199.5 | 11.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Erin | 157.0 | 9.2 | Hard | County estimate |
| Newbern | 38.0 | 2.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Ashland City | 140.0 | 8.2 | Hard | County estimate |
| Gatlinburg | 52.0 | 3.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Dunlap | 104.5 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Monterey | 147.0 | 8.6 | Hard | County estimate |
| Byrdstown | 100.0 | 5.8 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Fairmount | 68.8 | 4.0 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Signal Mountain | 68.8 | 4.0 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Maynardville | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Lynnville | 133.0 | 7.8 | Hard | County estimate |
| South Pittsburg | 80.3 | 4.7 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Minor Hill | 133.0 | 7.8 | Hard | County estimate |
| Linden | 35.9 | 2.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Counce | 23.0 | 1.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Whitwell | 69.5 | 4.1 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Baxter | 147.0 | 8.6 | Hard | County estimate |
| Lynchburg | 126.5 | 7.4 | Hard | County estimate |
| Decatur | 98.5 | 5.8 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Huntingdon | 18.4 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Tellico Plains | 74.0 | 4.3 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Red Boiling Springs | 110.0 | 6.4 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Sale Creek | 84.0 | 4.9 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Leoma | 78.0 | 4.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Dover | 119.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| New Market | 257.0 | 15.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Spencer | 31.8 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Spring City | 68.0 | 4.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Celina | 93.9 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Friendsville | 12.5 | 0.7 | Soft | County estimate |
| Tracy City | 59.4 | 3.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Adams | 199.5 | 11.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Summertown | 78.0 | 4.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Oliver Springs | 21.0 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Westmoreland | 104.0 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Springville | 29.0 | 1.7 | Soft | County estimate |
| Jellico | 105.0 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Somerville | 17.0 | 1.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Pleasant Hill | 33.0 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Gordonsville | 88.0 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Hornbeak | 33.7 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Loretto | 78.0 | 4.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Allons | 140.0 | 8.2 | Hard | County estimate |
| Waynesboro | 42.8 | 2.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Cedar Grove | 18.4 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Scotts Hill | 27.0 | 1.6 | Soft | County estimate |
| Unicoi | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Lobelville | 35.9 | 2.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Only | 56.6 | 3.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Moss | 93.9 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Sewanee | 93.4 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Brighton | 56.0 | 3.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Camden | 21.0 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| White Pine | 257.0 | 15.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Hampton | 39.7 | 2.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| South Fulton | 33.7 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Allardt | 89.0 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Englewood | 160.0 | 9.4 | Hard | County estimate |
| Riceville | 160.0 | 9.4 | Hard | County estimate |
| Jamestown | 89.0 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Monteagle | 80.3 | 4.7 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Mason | 17.0 | 1.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Elkton | 133.0 | 7.8 | Hard | County estimate |
| Niota | 160.0 | 9.4 | Hard | County estimate |
| Vanleer | 155.0 | 9.1 | Hard | County estimate |
| Dresden | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Holladay | 21.0 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Tiptonville | 99.0 | 5.8 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Calhoun | 160.0 | 9.4 | Hard | County estimate |
| Dyer | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Michie | 21.0 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Alexandria | 85.0 | 5.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Ducktown | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Turtletown | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Cowan | 93.4 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Surgoinsville | 137.0 | 8.0 | Hard | County estimate |
| New Johnsonville | 101.5 | 5.9 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Bells | 26.0 | 1.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Benton | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Greenfield | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Bell Buckle | 130.0 | 7.6 | Hard | County estimate |
| Chapel Hill | 206.0 | 12.1 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Decaturville | 27.0 | 1.6 | Soft | County estimate |
| Sneedville | 173.5 | 10.2 | Hard | County estimate |
| Ramer | 21.0 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Norris | 143.0 | 8.4 | Hard | County estimate |
| Rutledge | 130.0 | 7.6 | Hard | County estimate |
| Riddleton | 88.0 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Saltillo | 23.0 | 1.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Halls | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Troy | 33.7 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Ridgely | 99.0 | 5.8 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Grandview | 18.2 | 1.1 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Watertown | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Collinwood | 42.8 | 2.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Big Sandy | 21.0 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Clifton | 42.8 | 2.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Mooresburg | 137.0 | 8.0 | Hard | County estimate |
| Gleason | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Bruceton | 18.4 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Belvidere | 93.4 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Kenton | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Obion | 33.7 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Huntland | 93.4 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| St. Joseph | 78.0 | 4.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Rutherford | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Whiteville | 20.8 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Sharon | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Atwood | 18.4 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Rossville | 17.0 | 1.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Clairfield | 220.0 | 12.9 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Bradford | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Liberty | 85.0 | 5.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Cumberland City | 119.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Butler | 47.0 | 2.8 | Soft | County estimate |
| Sardis | 15.0 | 0.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Maury City | 36.0 | 2.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Henning | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Roan Mountain | 39.7 | 2.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Trezevant | 18.4 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Petersburg | 160.0 | 9.4 | Hard | County estimate |
| Gallaway | 17.0 | 1.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Friendship | 36.0 | 2.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Bethel Springs | 21.0 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Hollow Rock | 18.4 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Hornsby | 20.8 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Moscow | 17.0 | 1.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Puryear | 29.0 | 1.7 | Soft | County estimate |
| Trimble | 33.7 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Gates | 26.0 | 1.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Samburg | 33.7 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Stanton | 26.0 | 1.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Iron City | 42.8 | 2.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Henry | 29.0 | 1.7 | Soft | County estimate |
| Gibson | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Middleton | 20.8 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Westpoint | 78.0 | 4.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Sharps Chapel | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Charleston | 150.0 | 8.8 | Hard | County estimate |
| Christiana | 200.0 | 11.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Copperhill | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Fall Branch | 247.0 | 14.4 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Goodlettsville | 160.0 | 9.4 | Hard | County estimate |
| Harrison | 84.0 | 4.9 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Lookout Mountain | 84.0 | 4.9 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Louisville | 12.5 | 0.7 | Soft | County estimate |
| Pegram | 140.0 | 8.2 | Hard | County estimate |
| Powell | 128.5 | 7.5 | Hard | County estimate |
| Rockvale | 200.0 | 11.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
Above 120 mg/L (7 gpg), scale is usually worth treating — see our water softener guide, or size a system with the hardness calculator & converter.
The Geology Behind Tennessee's Water Hardness
Tennessee sits in the Appalachian and Mid-Atlantic mixed terrain region.
The Mid-Atlantic and Appalachian states sit on a patchwork of sandstone, shale, and crystalline rock that yields mostly soft to moderately hard water. The big exception is the region's limestone and dolomite valleys - including the carbonate belt running from Pennsylvania down through the Shenandoah Valley - where groundwater dissolves calcium and magnesium readily and comes out distinctly hard. A city's number here depends heavily on whether its supply draws from upland rivers and reservoirs or from carbonate-valley wells.
Tennessee Water Hardness FAQ
Does Tennessee have hard water?
On the whole, no — Tennessee's statewide median sits below the hard threshold, though some cities run harder. The median is 74.1 mg/L (4.3 gpg) — moderately hard on the USGS scale, where anything above 120 mg/L (7 gpg) counts as hard. 3 of Tennessee's 27 measured cities fall in the hard or very hard bands (11%), so check your own city rather than the state average.
How hard is tap water in Tennessee?
Across the 27 Tennessee cities with measured values in our index, the median hardness is 74.1 mg/L (4.3 gpg) — moderately hard on the USGS scale. Individual cities range from 18.2 to 138.0 mg/L, so check your own city rather than assuming the state number.
Which city in Tennessee has the hardest water?
Spring Hill has the hardest measured tap water in our Tennessee index at 138.0 mg/L (8.1 gpg) — hard on the USGS scale. Rankings use measured utility values only; labeled county estimates and values under active dispute are excluded.
Do I need a water softener in Tennessee?
3 of Tennessee's 27 measured cities (11%) fall in the hard or very hard bands — above 120 mg/L (7 gpg), the level where most water treatment professionals suggest considering an ion-exchange softener. Hardness varies utility to utility, so look up your own city's value before sizing equipment.
How do I find my city's exact water hardness?
Enter your ZIP code in our free lookup at tapwaterdata.com/zip to see the value we hold for your Tennessee city from utility-reported water quality data, check your water utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), or use a home test-strip kit.
Need whole-house or professional water treatment?
For the problems a pitcher or under-sink filter cannot fix — scale, rust and black staining, sulfur smell, well contamination, or test results you cannot explain. Tell us what is happening and we will connect you with a local water-treatment professional.
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