Hernando Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.4 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
535 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.43
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 Hernando, your appliances are currently losing 21% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Hernando | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -49% |
| Washing Machine | 7.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -37% |
| Water Heater | 9.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -39% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Hernando compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hernando, Mississippi | 161 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Horn Lake, Mississippi | 68.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Southaven, Mississippi | 110 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Olive Branch, Mississippi | 159 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| New South Memphis, Tennessee | 171 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Hernando compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hernando | 161 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Hernando's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Hernando, Mississippi, in DeSoto County — the DeSoto County seat adjacent to Southaven and Olive Branch in the north Mississippi Memphis suburb — receives its municipal water from the Hernando Water Division, drawing from the Memphis Sand Aquifer (DeSoto County) through the north Mississippi water treatment system.
The hard 161 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 535 mg/L reflect the DeSoto County Memphis Sand Aquifer's moderately mineralized Eocene character — somewhat harder than the Shelby County TN Memphis Sand communities (Germantown: 149 mg/L), reflecting local variation in the aquifer's calcareous cementation at DeSoto County. The Memphis Sand Aquifer at DeSoto County is developed in Eocene Memphis Sand Formation (medium-to-coarse grained quartzose sand with calcareous cement — primary hardness contributor), Eocene Cockfield Formation (calcareous), and Paleocene Clayton Formation (calcareous limestone at the base). The calcareous cementation of the Memphis Sand produces the hard north Mississippi supply.
At 161 mg/L, Hernando's water is hard — scale builds steadily in kettles and appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and water heaters should be descaled annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 7.7 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the DeSoto County north Mississippi-Memphis metro industrial corridor and the Memphis Sand Aquifer PFAS background from the Memphis Tennessee industrial legacy contribute to Hernando's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Hernando in DeSoto County draws from the Hernando Water Division on the Memphis Sand Aquifer (DeSoto County, north Mississippi) — the Memphis Sand Aquifer at DeSoto County is developed in Eocene Memphis Sand Formation (calcareous, moderately mineralized) — Mississippi DeSoto County Memphis Sand Aquifer Eocene calcareous system produces hard water at 161 mg/L with TDS 535 mg/L in this DeSoto County Mississippi city.