How does Arlington's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Arlington (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Arlington Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

6.1

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

69 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Arlington, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Arlington	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Arlington compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Arlington, Tennessee	≈ 120–179 mg/L	3.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Lakeland, Tennessee	≈ 0–60 mg/L	6.2 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Ellendale, Tennessee	≈ 120–179 mg/L	3 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Cordova, Tennessee	≈ 0–60 mg/L	3.1 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Bartlett, Tennessee	≈ 0–60 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Arlington compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Arlington	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Arlington's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 69 mg/LpH: 6.1

Arlington, Tennessee's water supply comes from both the Loosahatchie River and local aquifer systems, managed by a local Arlington Water utility. These sources are treated at facilities designed to meet stringent EPA drinking water standards before reaching residents in Arlington and nearby communities within Shelby County. The watershed itself is part of the larger Mississippi River drainage system, highlighting the interconnectedness of regional water resources.

The town sits atop geological formations characteristic of the Mississippi River Valley, specifically Quaternary alluvial deposits layered over older Tertiary formations. These subsurface layers, composed of sand, silt, and clay, contain a moderate amount of dissolved minerals. It's this geology, combined with the Loosahatchie River water, that gives Arlington's water its moderately hard quality, a common trait across western Tennessee.

Homeowners may observe scale accumulating on faucets and showerheads, and notice that soaps and detergents don't lather as effectively. Appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and particularly water heaters can be impacted by mineral buildup over time. To combat this, routine cleaning of fixtures is advised, and many residents find installing a whole-house water softener beneficial, especially if they use a lot of water or have older appliances. Arlington's water quality reports confirm compliance with EPA standards, with lead levels notably low.

Geology & Source: Mississippi River Valley alluvial and Tertiary formations; moderate mineral content from calcium and magnesium results in moderately hard water

Other Tennessee Water Reports

Lakeland

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Ellendale

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Cordova

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Bartlett

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arlington's water safe to drink?

Yes. Arlington's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Arlington?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Arlington's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Arlington compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Arlington (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Arlington is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.