Water Hardness in Tennessee
Across 60 measured cities — with 252 more covered by labeled county-level estimates — Tennessee's median tap water hardness is 89.0 mg/L (5.2 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 July 6, 2026. Sources: utility-reported water quality data and USGS/EPA Water Quality Portal samples.
State Median
89.0
mg/L (5.2 gpg), measured cities
Measured Range
18.2-138.0
mg/L across measured cities
Measured Cities
60
utility-reported or computed values
County Estimates
252
81% of covered cities
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 | 13 | 21.7% |
| Moderately hard | 60-120 mg/L | 43 | 71.7% |
| Hard | 120-180 mg/L | 4 | 6.7% |
| 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
- Karns — 124.0 mg/L (7.3 gpg), hard
- Columbia — 120.7 mg/L (7.1 gpg), hard
- Christiana — 107.0 mg/L (6.3 gpg), moderately hard
Softest water in Tennessee
- Fairfield Glade — 18.2 mg/L (1.1 gpg), soft
- Grandview — 18.2 mg/L (1.1 gpg), soft
- Bartlett — 36.1 mg/L (2.1 gpg), soft
- Alcoa — 37.3 mg/L (2.2 gpg), soft
- Friendsville — 37.3 mg/L (2.2 gpg), soft
Every Covered City in Tennessee
All 312 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 | 89.3 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Belle Meade | 89.7 | 5.3 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Hendersonville | 89.0 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Green Hill | 88.9 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Mount Juliet | 88.9 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Berry Hill | 89.8 | 5.3 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Oak Hill | 89.8 | 5.3 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Forest Hills | 89.4 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Brentwood | 88.6 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Ashland City | 89.4 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Goodlettsville | 89.4 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Millersville | 89.4 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Pegram | 89.4 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Memphis | 40.2 | 2.4 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Knoxville | 91.3 | 5.3 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Murfreesboro | 101.3 | 5.9 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Rockvale | 101.3 | 5.9 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Clarksville | 70.8 | 4.1 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Red Bank | 70.2 | 4.1 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Powell | 99.1 | 5.8 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Christiana | 107.0 | 6.3 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Franklin | 98.3 | 5.8 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Maryville | 41.6 | 2.4 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Gallatin | 81.5 | 4.8 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Bloomingdale | 106.0 | 6.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| East Ridge | 70.5 | 4.1 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Colonial Heights | 106.0 | 6.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Fall Branch | 106.0 | 6.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Kingsport | 106.0 | 6.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Orebank | 106.0 | 6.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Spurgeon | 106.0 | 6.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Sullivan Gardens | 106.0 | 6.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Gray | 59.5 | 3.5 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Johnson City | 59.5 | 3.5 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| White House | 199.0 | 11.6 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Columbia | 120.7 | 7.1 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Jackson | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Cleveland | 150.0 | 8.8 | Hard | County estimate |
| Ridgetop | 93.2 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Bristol | 88.3 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Morristown | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Eagleton Village | 45.9 | 2.7 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Alcoa | 37.3 | 2.2 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Madison | 93.2 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Rural Hill | 93.2 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Lebanon | 77.5 | 4.5 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Cookeville | 55.9 | 3.3 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Hixson | 84.0 | 4.9 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Karns | 124.0 | 7.3 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Algood | 57.1 | 3.3 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Chattanooga | 70.5 | 4.1 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Ridgeside | 70.5 | 4.1 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Dickson | 154.0 | 9.0 | Hard | County estimate |
| Smyrna | 200.0 | 11.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Harrison | 70.6 | 4.1 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Friendsville | 37.3 | 2.2 | Soft | 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 |
| Louisville | 37.3 | 2.2 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Collierville | 50.8 | 3.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Clinton | 143.0 | 8.4 | Hard | County estimate |
| Seymour | 51.0 | 3.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Springfield | 199.0 | 11.6 | 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 |
| Sevierville | 51.0 | 3.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Oak Ridge | 132.0 | 7.7 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Lewisburg | 206.0 | 12.1 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Elizabethton | 39.6 | 2.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Millington | 50.8 | 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 | 254.0 | 14.8 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Nolensville | 61.7 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Sparta | 110.0 | 6.4 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Rockford | 12.5 | 0.7 | Soft | County estimate |
| Kingston | 79.4 | 4.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Tullahoma | 80.9 | 4.7 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Lawrenceburg | 77.8 | 4.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Winchester | 93.2 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Munford | 55.5 | 3.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Jefferson City | 254.0 | 14.8 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Atoka | 55.5 | 3.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Beersheba Springs | 58.2 | 3.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Dyersburg | 38.0 | 2.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| La Follette | 104.0 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Harriman | 79.4 | 4.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Georgetown | 84.0 | 4.9 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Corryton | 130.0 | 7.6 | Hard | County estimate |
| Mascot | 130.0 | 7.6 | 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 | 70.8 | 4.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Covington | 55.5 | 3.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Hartsville | 254.0 | 14.8 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Portland | 104.0 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Rockwood | 79.4 | 4.6 | 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 | 254.0 | 14.8 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Pleasant View | 199.0 | 11.6 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Morrison | 120.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Union City | 32.1 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Ripley | 133.5 | 7.8 | Hard | County estimate |
| Fairmount | 68.8 | 4.0 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Grimsley | 89.0 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| New Tazewell | 218.0 | 12.8 | 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 | 51.0 | 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 | 251.0 | 14.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Brownsville | 26.0 | 1.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Carthage | 87.7 | 5.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Paris | 29.0 | 1.7 | Soft | County estimate |
| Tennessee Ridge | 153.5 | 9.0 | Hard | County estimate |
| Lyles | 56.6 | 3.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Erwin | 18.8 | 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 | 59.6 | 3.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Cumberland Gap | 218.0 | 12.8 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Wartburg | 21.0 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Parsons | 27.0 | 1.6 | Soft | County estimate |
| Mosheim | 251.0 | 14.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Manchester | 80.9 | 4.7 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Alamo | 36.0 | 2.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Jacksboro | 104.0 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Woodbury | 141.5 | 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 | 29.1 | 1.7 | Soft | County estimate |
| Oneida | 59.6 | 3.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Decherd | 93.2 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Estill Springs | 93.2 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Gainesboro | 95.6 | 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 | 218.0 | 12.8 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Adamsville | 21.0 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Jasper | 80.3 | 4.7 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Mohawk | 251.0 | 14.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Bean Station | 130.0 | 7.6 | Hard | County estimate |
| Altamont | 58.2 | 3.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Palmer | 58.2 | 3.4 | 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 | 199.0 | 11.6 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Erin | 153.5 | 9.0 | Hard | County estimate |
| Newbern | 38.0 | 2.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Gatlinburg | 51.0 | 3.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Dunlap | 107.0 | 6.3 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Monterey | 147.0 | 8.6 | Hard | County estimate |
| Byrdstown | 100.0 | 5.8 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| 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 |
| Lookout Mountain | 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 | 100.0 | 5.8 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Huntingdon | 18.2 | 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 | 77.8 | 4.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Dover | 117.0 | 6.8 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| New Market | 254.0 | 14.8 | 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 |
| Tracy City | 58.2 | 3.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Adams | 199.0 | 11.6 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Summertown | 77.8 | 4.5 | 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 | 104.0 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Somerville | 17.0 | 1.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Pleasant Hill | 33.0 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Gordonsville | 87.7 | 5.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Hornbeak | 32.1 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Loretto | 77.8 | 4.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Allons | 140.0 | 8.2 | Hard | County estimate |
| Waynesboro | 43.0 | 2.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Cedar Grove | 18.2 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Scotts Hill | 27.0 | 1.6 | Soft | County estimate |
| Unicoi | 18.8 | 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 | 93.2 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Brighton | 55.5 | 3.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Camden | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| White Pine | 254.0 | 14.8 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Hampton | 39.6 | 2.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| South Fulton | 32.1 | 1.9 | 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 | 154.0 | 9.0 | Hard | County estimate |
| Dresden | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Holladay | 22.0 | 1.3 | 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 | 93.2 | 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 | 87.7 | 5.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Saltillo | 23.0 | 1.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Halls | 133.5 | 7.8 | Hard | County estimate |
| Troy | 32.1 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Ridgely | 99.0 | 5.8 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Fairfield Glade | 18.2 | 1.1 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Grandview | 18.2 | 1.1 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Watertown | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Collinwood | 43.0 | 2.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Big Sandy | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Clifton | 43.0 | 2.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Mooresburg | 137.0 | 8.0 | Hard | County estimate |
| Gleason | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Bruceton | 18.2 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Belvidere | 93.2 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Kenton | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Obion | 32.1 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Huntland | 93.2 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| St. Joseph | 77.8 | 4.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| St. Joseph | 77.8 | 4.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Rutherford | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Whiteville | 20.6 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Sharon | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Atwood | 18.2 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Rossville | 17.0 | 1.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Clairfield | 218.0 | 12.8 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Bradford | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Liberty | 85.0 | 5.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Cumberland City | 117.0 | 6.8 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Butler | 47.0 | 2.8 | Soft | County estimate |
| Sardis | 15.0 | 0.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Whitwell | 80.3 | 4.7 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Maury City | 36.0 | 2.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Henning | 133.5 | 7.8 | Hard | County estimate |
| Roan Mountain | 39.6 | 2.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Trezevant | 18.2 | 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 | 18.2 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Hornsby | 20.6 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Moscow | 17.0 | 1.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Puryear | 29.0 | 1.7 | Soft | County estimate |
| Trimble | 32.1 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Gates | 26.0 | 1.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Samburg | 32.1 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Stanton | 26.0 | 1.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Iron City | 43.0 | 2.5 | Soft | County estimate |
| Henry | 29.0 | 1.7 | Soft | County estimate |
| Gibson | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Middleton | 20.6 | 1.2 | Soft | County estimate |
| Westpoint | 77.8 | 4.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Sharps Chapel | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Charleston | 150.0 | 8.8 | Hard | County estimate |
| Copperhill | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | 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 89.0 mg/L (5.2 gpg) — moderately hard on the USGS scale, where anything above 120 mg/L (7 gpg) counts as hard. 4 of Tennessee's 60 measured cities fall in the hard or very hard bands (7%), so check your own city rather than the state average.
How hard is tap water in Tennessee?
Across the 60 Tennessee cities with measured values in our index, the median hardness is 89.0 mg/L (5.2 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?
4 of Tennessee's 60 measured cities (7%) 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.
Stay Informed About Your Water Quality
Get EPA reports, filter recommendations, and safety alerts for your area.
Join 10,000+ people protecting their families. Unsubscribe anytime.