Water hardness in Tennessee, characterized by the amount of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium, can significantly differ throughout the state due to its varied geological landscapes. Located in the southeastern region of the U.S., Tennessee’s water hardness levels mirror its array of geological features.
Across Tennessee, water hardness can range from moderately soft to significantly hard, depending on the geology of the area and the source of the water supply. For example, areas situated over the Eastern Highland Rim aquifer may have softer water, attributed to the rapid movement of water through less mineral-rich sediments. On the other hand, regions with harder water typically lie beneath limestone and other mineral-laden formations like those found in the Cumberland Plateau, resulting in higher concentrations of dissolved minerals.
The variation in water hardness throughout Tennessee influences not only the taste and aesthetics of the water but also the efficiency of soaps and detergents, plumbing maintenance, and the longevity of appliances that use water. Given the state’s considerable geological diversity, water hardness is not consistent, highlighting the need for localized water treatment solutions and ongoing monitoring of water quality.
In this data the water hardness levels show substantial variations in different cities across Tennessee, USA. Among the cities for which data is reported, the highest water hardness level is recorded in Franklin with a hardness ppm of 135.0 and a hardness gpg of 7.9. On the other hand, the city with the lowest recorded water hardness level is McMinnville, reporting a hardness ppm of 26.0 and a hardness gpg of 1.5.
City | Hardness ppm (mg/L) | Hardness gpg | Information Source | Notes |
Nashville | 94.0 | 5.5 | Link | |
Memphis | 48.0 | 2.8 | Link | |
Knoxville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Chattanooga | 76.0 | 4.4 | Link | |
Clarksville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Murfreesboro | 84.0 | 4.9 | Link | Monitors and posts regular updates for hardness on Facebook |
Franklin | 135.0 | 7.9 | Link | Lists two values, took average since they’re blended together |
Johnson City | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Jackson | 57.0 | 3.3 | Link | Memphis Sands Aquifer |
Hendersonville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Bartlett | 38.8 | 2.3 | Link | |
Kingsport | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Smyrna | 90.0 | 5.3 | Link | Treatment plant softens city’s water |
Spring Hill | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Collierville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Cleveland | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Gallatin | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Brentwood | 96.0 | 5.6 | Link | |
Columbia | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Germantown | n/a | n/a | Link | Memphis Sand Aquifer |
Lebanon | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Mount Juliet | n/a | n/a | Link | |
La Vergne | 65.0 | 3.8 | Link | |
Cookeville | 74.5 | 4.4 | Link | |
Maryville | 30.0 | 1.8 | Link | Classifies itself as “soft” using USGS range (0-60ppm). Took the median of that. |
Oak Ridge | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Morristown | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Bristol | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Farragut | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Shelbyville | n/a | n/a | Link | Duck River |
East Ridge | 76.0 | 4.4 | Link | Zip lookup |
Tullahoma | n/a | n/a | Link | No online CCR |
Springfield | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Sevierville | n/a | n/a | Link | CCR linked on town website gives a 404 Error |
Goodlettsville | n/a | n/a | Link | No water CCR. Is a suburb of Nashville, may be covered by their water utility |
Dickson | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Dyersburg | n/a | n/a | Link | Memphis Sand Aquifer |
Greeneville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Nolensville | 92.0 | 5.4 | Link | Blend of Smyrna and Nashville water |
Arlington | n/a | n/a | Link | No online CCR, nothing in EPA CCR search, may be covered by Memphis |
Athens | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Elizabethton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
McMinnville | 26.0 | 1.5 | Link | |
Lakeland | n/a | n/a | Link | No online CCR, nothing in EPA CCR search, may be covered by Memphis |
White House | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Portland | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Soddy-Daisy | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Manchester | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Lewisburg | n/a | n/a | Link | Duck River |
Crossville | 30.0 | 1.8 | Link | Sells to South Cumberland and Grandview |
Hartsville/Trousdale County | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Red Bank | 76.0 | 4.4 | Link | Zip lookup |
Lawrenceburg | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Collegedale | 76.0 | 4.4 | Link | Zip lookup |
Alcoa | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Union City | n/a | n/a | Link | Memphis Sand Aquifer |
Martin | n/a | n/a | Link | Memphis Sand Aquifer |
Millington | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Lenoir City | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Paris | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Atoka | 57.0 | 3.3 | Link | Memphis Sand Aquifer |
Clinton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fairview | n/a | n/a | Link | Town doesn’t have online presence. Nothing in EPA CCR search. |
Brownsville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Winchester | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Oakland | n/a | n/a | Link | Memphis Sand Aquifer |
Signal Mountain | 75.0 | 4.4 | Link | |
Covington | n/a | n/a | Link | Memphis Sand Aquifer |
Jefferson City | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Pulaski | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Milan | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Thompson’s Station | 100.0 | 5.8 | Link | |
Lexington | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Humboldt | n/a | n/a | Link | Memphis Sand Aquifer |
Ripley | n/a | n/a | Link | Memphis Sand Aquifer |
La Follette | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Savannah | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Dayton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Church Hill | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fayetteville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Greenbrier | n/a | n/a | Link | Purchases from Springfield |
Newport | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Lynchburg, Moore County | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Munford | n/a | n/a | Link | Memphis Sand Aquifer |
Pigeon Forge | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Sweetwater | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Henderson | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Millersville | n/a | n/a | Link | Per city website, takes WHUD water (https://www.cityofmillersville.com/department/index.php?structureid=24) |
Loudon | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Kingston | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Erwin | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Jonesborough | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Harriman | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Lafayette | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Rockwood | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Mount Carmel | n/a | n/a | Link | |
McKenzie | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Dunlap | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Medina | 57.0 | 3.3 | Link | Memphis Sands Aquifer |
Bolivar | n/a | n/a | Link | Doesn’t publish their CCR online |
ppm = Parts Per Million
mg/L = Milligrams Per Liter
gpg = Grains Per Gallon
Hard water can cause issues such as mineral buildup in plumbing and appliances, reduce the efficacy of soaps and detergents, and affect the taste of the water. A tried and true solution is the use of a water softener. A water softener, like the ones from DROP, could be a worthwhile investment.
These devices work by replacing the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hardness with sodium ions, resulting in softer water. With innovative features, easy installation, and efficient operation, DROP smart water softeners provide a solution to hard water issues, extending the lifespan of appliances, improving water taste, enhancing soap effectiveness, reducing scale build-up, and increasing the overall water efficiency in your home.