State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM200
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM52
Hard · 121–180 PPM54
Very hard · 181+ PPM17
State water index
Tennessee water hardness
Search 222 indexed communities and 323 ZIP profiles, then compare the underlying utility, source, distance, and reporting context.
Median indexed hardness
50PPM
Soft
Indexed range 4.5–247 PPM
- ZIP profiles
- 323
- Cities
- 222
- Matched utilities
- 293
- Counties
- 91
Understanding Tennessee
Why local comparisons matter here
Tennessee stretches from Appalachian watersheds through limestone-rich central basins to the Mississippi embayment in the west.
In this index, soft is the largest category, covering 200 of 323 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 50 PPM, but the full indexed range is 4.5–247 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 100%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 13%
101
Low-confidence hardness profiles
87
Nearest site more than 25 miles away
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Surface water
- 147
- Groundwater
- 124
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- 22
Highest medians
Hardest indexed cities
- 1. Hampton247 PPM
- 2. Roan Mountain247 PPM
- 3. Sneedville228 PPM
- 4. White House191 PPM
- 5. White Pine186 PPM
Lowest medians
Softest indexed cities
- 1. Wartburg5 PPM
- 2. Sevierville5 PPM
- 3. Rocky Top5 PPM
- 4. Pigeon Forge5 PPM
- 5. Oneida5 PPM
City directory
Explore Tennessee by city
Search by city or county, then sort by name, hardness, or ZIP coverage.
222 cities · 323 ZIP profiles
222 cities found
Page 1 of 10
Adams
Robertson County · 1 ZIP
181PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Alamo
Crockett County · 1 ZIP
33PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Alcoa
Blount County · 1 ZIP
5PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Alexandria
Dekalb County · 1 ZIP
133PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Altamont
Grundy County · 1 ZIP
72PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Ardmore
Lincoln County · 1 ZIP
100PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Athens
Mcminn County · 1 ZIP
13PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Atoka
Tipton County · 1 ZIP
48PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Atwood
Carroll County · 1 ZIP
28PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bartlett
Shelby County · 3 ZIPs
48PPM
Range 48.3–48.7No active flag
Baxter
Putnam County · 1 ZIP
133PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bean Station
Grainger County · 1 ZIP
177PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bell Buckle
Bedford County · 1 ZIP
103PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bells
Haywood County · 1 ZIP
41PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Benton
Polk County · 1 ZIP
138PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bethel Springs
Mcnairy County · 1 ZIP
32PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Big Sandy
Benton County · 1 ZIP
29PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bolivar
Hardeman County · 1 ZIP
43PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bradford
Gibson County · 1 ZIP
28PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Brentwood
Williamson County · 1 ZIP
133PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Brighton
Tipton County · 1 ZIP
48PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bristol
Sullivan County · 2 ZIPs
184PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Brownsville
Haywood County · 1 ZIP
41PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bruceton
Carroll County · 1 ZIP
31PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
County comparison
Highest indexed county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hancock County | 228 PPM | 228–228 | 1 |
| Carter County | 214 PPM | 176.5–247 | 4 |
| Hamblen County | 184 PPM | 183.5–183.5 | 2 |
| Robertson County | 181 PPM | 176–191 | 4 |
| Johnson County | 181 PPM | 181–181 | 1 |
| Sullivan County | 177 PPM | 176.5–183.5 | 6 |
| Unicoi County | 177 PPM | 176.5–176.5 | 1 |
| Washington County | 177 PPM | 176.5–176.5 | 1 |
| Hawkins County | 174 PPM | 172–176.5 | 4 |
| Greene County | 172 PPM | 172–172 | 2 |
| Warren County | 170 PPM | 170–170 | 2 |
| Coffee County | 170 PPM | 170–170 | 1 |