Middlesboro Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
15.1 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
693.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.69
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Middlesboro, your appliances are currently losing 34% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Middlesboro | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -66% |
| Water Heater | 5.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -65% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Middlesboro compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Middlesboro, Kentucky | 258 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Morristown, Tennessee | 184 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Clinton, Tennessee | 163.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Knoxville, Tennessee | 169 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Seymour, Tennessee | 229.5 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Middlesboro compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Middlesboro | 258 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Middlesboro's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Middlesboro, Kentucky, in Bell County — a Bell County city adjacent to Harrogate and Pineville in the Cumberland Gap area of southeast Kentucky — receives its water from the City of Middlesboro Water Department, drawing from Yellow Creek through the southeast Kentucky distribution.
The very hard 258 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 693.8 mg/L reflect the Bell County supply's very hard Appalachian character — the Mississippian Newman Limestone is a highly calcareous formation in the Cumberland Mountain corridor, while the Pennsylvanian Lee Formation contributes calcareous sandstone and shale mineral content; Middlesboro sits in a meteorite impact crater whose fractured limestone geology accelerates mineral dissolution (compare Harrogate TN: 254/683 in Claiborne County TN comparable; Pineville KY: 261/703 in Bell County comparable; Middlesboro consistent very hard from the same Bell County Yellow Creek Mississippian calcareous supply). The Yellow Creek watershed — Mississippian Newman Limestone (highly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Pennsylvanian Lee Formation (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Cumberland Mountain alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 258 mg/L with TDS 694, Middlesboro's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. The PFAS level of 7.6 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review the City of Middlesboro's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Middlesboro in Bell County draws from the Middlesboro Water on the Yellow Creek watershed (Bell County, southeast Kentucky) — the Cumberland Mountain watershed draws from Mississippian Newman Limestone (highly calcareous) and Pennsylvanian Lee Formation (calcareous) — Kentucky Bell County Yellow Creek Mississippian calcareous supply produces very hard water at 258 mg/L with TDS 693.8 mg/L.