Hardness
Soft
57.5 PPM · 3.4 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Chattanooga, TN 37343
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Hamilton County.
1 reported benchmark flag
- Primary matched system
- Tennessee American Water
- Source water
- Surface water + Groundwater + Groundwater influenced by surface water
- County
- Hamilton County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.001 mg/L
7% of action level
Utility match
4 systems
Serves 207,046 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
57.5 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
57.5
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
3.4
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 57.5 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
10
Nearest site
14.4 mi
Observation range
Jan 19, 2016–Dec 4, 2024
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: WEST CHICKAMAUGA CR AT GA 146, NEAR LAKEVIEW, GA (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 37343 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Chattanooga median
50 PPM
8 PPM higher17 indexed ZIP readings · Range 43.5–57.5 PPM
Tennessee median
50 PPM
8 PPM higher323 indexed ZIP readings · Range 4.5–247 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.001 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
2.328 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2016
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.001
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 2.328
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 8
- Health-based
- 0
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | TN0000924 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Jul 24, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | TN0000219 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Jul 18, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | TN0000219 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | TN0000219 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2023 |
| Public Notice | TN0000924 | Addressed | Mar 1, 2015 |
| Public Notice | TN0000924 | Addressed | Feb 1, 2015 |
| Public Notice | TN0000924 | Addressed | Jan 1, 2015 |
| Public Notice | TN0000924 | Addressed | Dec 1, 2014 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Chattanooga ZIP 37343 using 57.5 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Copper (90th percentile) has a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in Chattanooga
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Chattanooga
Is tap water safe in Chattanooga?+
EPA ECHO shows no active health-based violation for the associated systems in this reporting snapshot. This does not prove every contaminant is absent; federal records can lag and household plumbing can change tap conditions.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 57.5 PPM, or 3.4 grains per gallon, classified as soft. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm with a tap test before buying equipment.